For "Bells"
July 16, 2007
That's the Way of It |
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| Cold rain as can only be found in Oregon in October. 1991. Dark and desolate we come upon the farmhouse in Parkland where I will meet you. |
| Soft golden black and white fur, ears entirely too long for the rest of you, jowls softer than any and I hold you and you nestle into my neck, fragrance of puppy breath and |
You are mine, and I am yours and we belong to each other...
That's the way of it. |
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| Stumbling down the step, trying to learn to go outside when needed. The world is full of wonders, grass as tall as you, smells by the thousands and oh the joy of digging! You trip up the stairs and encounter the vacuum and I first hear you bay, gorgeous sound, glorious and you live up to your name of Bells...and you bring me delight, and |
You are mine and I am yours and we belong to each other....
That's the way of it. |
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| Adolescent puppy hood, exasperating! Searching for food in every corner, running with Frisbee looking sideways, and tummy hard and round and full of thanksgiving dinner. Hot chocolate mix all over the floor and on your nose and in my anger again I smile, and |
you are mine and I am yours and we belong to each other
That's the way of it. |
|
| Belly bulging with puppies, so I sleep in the room where you sleep. 2 am you are restless, and at 4 the first is born, then by 7 there are four more. Exhausted you cannot deliver the sixth puppy and I am helpless and panicked and we get to the vet too late, so we mourn together, and |
You are mine and I am yours and we belong to each other
That's the way of it. |
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| Dark days, you wail as your puppies leave us to new homes, foreshadowing my sadness at the leaving of my girls, we divorce the man and I am lonely and frightened and you are by my side with your head in my lap, and |
I am yours and you are mine and we belong to each other
That's the way of it. |
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| New life, our best times, acres to play on with goats, city houses town houses, a step sister a new man in our lives who loves you too, countless walks, and trips for fresh bread to the Pearl bakery, your beagle bay awakening sleepy yuppies and my smile and |
You are mine and I am yours and we belong to each other
That's the way of it. |
|
| I needed you, my loss broke my heart, but in your comforting way you simply sat by me every single time I cried, soft jowls on my knee, ears between my fingers calming me, and |
You are mine and I am yours and we belong to each other
That's the way of it. |
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| Golden old days, slow moving, snoring in my sewing room, your presence where I am, not a consciousness, just a gentle presence that lets me know I am not alone. And an icy river runs in my heart as I understand it is mine to decide for you, and |
You are mine and I am yours and we belong to each other
That's the way of it. |
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| Your eyes, your ears, your mouth, your too big heart has a piece of me that will always say "Bells". I memorize you...so that some day, some of me will find some of you again, and |
You will be mine and I will be yours and we will belong to each other again
That's the way of it. |
