A Dear Old Friend

As the year thunders on the autumn days begin to get shorter the nights are early, My old dog stretches out by a blazing log fire only turning over when he's too hot, Arthritis is slowing him down his hips are so sore he walks very slowly with a limp, Very soon it will be time to take him out on grassy rich heaths for the very last time. Although the weather for autumn is calm it is the damp air that makes the pain worse, Outside he lays watching spiders form radiated circles on every single bush and twig, And at the silken threads on every blade of grass and he barks and sniffs so quietly, His mood is solemn but calm, he is in a daze and forgets his way back to the garden. We walked along forest meadows running chasing sticks and shadows barking with joy, He would bound up to some lovely hedges or soft willow plots and roll in green grass, Smoke from autumn’s bonfires has a smell that reminds me of wonderful golden sunsets, Now it will remind me of loneliness with my faithful old friend running in a dog heaven. By my log fire my dog’s eyes are brown they are pleading there are tears in the corners, He doesn't understand that he is old and cannot do the things he has always loved to do, A haunting stare asks me to help him because you're my dad you will make me better, Next day I take him out for the very last time a long walk into the vets and I break down. My hands deep in my pockets I walk where we always walked and soon it will be winter, Standing and watching the departure of numbers of birds that have shared our summer, The Curlews, Sandpipers, Snipes and Bean Goose fly across the sky but my joy has gone, Norway thrush's arrive but where is my dear old friend we watched the seasons together. The Fern-owls, dotterals, swallows and some of the plovers used bid us a last goodbye, Today go the flycatchers, white throats, warblers, wheatears and the hardy red sparrows. Gardens show us autumnal flowers crocuses, autumn snowflakes fall on meadow saffron, Everything is going and saying goodbye I turn into the wind tears roll down my cheeks.