eastern box turtle on cape cod

harwich lavender farm faerie garden

his deep woof

So much is happening, who has time to write about it?
Taking photos is more possible, just a moment to click.
Even that act requires a certain stepping outside the action
When there’s a world of essential things that need doing.

But this morning I can pause as I sip my coffee
Until you arrive and we set off on today’s expedition.
I can leave go of packing our things for the move for a few minutes
And record my thoughts about us and our dog.

We are going to the mountains to the waterfall on the brook
Where the cabin sits perched beside the trout pool
Where the dog so enjoyed wading and slurping and sitting
Watching his people enjoying the place and each other.

We are going to cast his ashes into that pool and remember him.
We are going to remember a time that is past now for all of us.
We may recite the timeless verse from Ecclesiastes.
The brook will babble to us. It is all good.

The wonder of this dog is that he was there for you through it all.
When your world was breaking apart, you could talk to him.
He was indeed your best friend all these years.
And still he comes to you in your dreams when you need him.

For 12 years you had his huge bulk and dense black fur,
His smell and tongue licking you and brown eyes on you.
Even now you can hear his deep woof greeting you.
Reuben was a very good dog.

vintage victrola