Farewell, dear friends
My spirit is free tonight!
My heart was stilled and my breath flew away.
I did not want to leave for the longest time
And my human mommy helped me stay.
Despite the doctors’ dire predictions and despite
The severity of my illness, I thrived; I was happy.
She said it was up to me when I wanted to go
Although she knew – and I knew – that she would be sad
To see me leave. To have me missing from her life
Would leave a big hole in her heart -
A hole as big as my defective heart had grown to be.
And so we went to set me free.
She told me again and again that she loved me.
As her tears fell on my fur, I curled my paw
Around her finger to let her know that I know
She is setting me free, out of my failing body
Into the ether because she loves me.
My Spirit is free tonight!
My heart is whole again in spirit,
My breath is the breath of angels.
I will wander for a while, free of a physical body
But I will stay close to her to ease her sadness
Until I can return.
She will know it is me, Reynard.
7:30 p.m., December 29, 2008
