Curtis Johnson Poet Narrative

Jack and Gabby-F

In my lifetime, there has only been one pet that reached into my heart.
There have been others that came all the way to my head and stopped.
Me thinks that they wanted to go much farther, and I can only imagine how                they must have felt being shunned by me in as much as they have feelings     
too.  Although I did not mean for it to be personal, they had every right to      
take it personal. I tell you, I intentionally built a wall of brick and steel 
forbidding them to enter my heart for reasons having nothing to do with them.

When I was a kid of 9 or 10, I had a dog name Jack who meant the world to me. Jack as a puppy was a gift from my dad when I was around 6 or 7, and I'd say he took up nearly every inch of my heart. Unfortunately, while still very young, Jack was shot and killed by a farmer simply because Jack was on his land.

We buried Jack under a tree in our front yard, and our entire family mourned
him as a member of the family. Over the years, there have been pets for our kids and grandkids, but I never grew close to any of them. I think that the corridors of my heart went on lockdown when Jack died. There is no scientific proof of it, and it occurred to me some 50 plus years after his demise, but I think that my heart for pets was buried with Jack, because I have not loved another pet since the passing of Jack.

With our finite minds, we have no certainty that all dogs go to heaven, but every emotion in my being would love to think so, and if so, I cannot imagine
the reunion that Jack and I will experience when I get to heaven. But in the
meanwhile, I do not suspect that Jack would have approved of my shutting down and holding back my love for others of his species. So I hope that all
memories of such will be completely extracted when Jack and I get together again.  However, I do hope that Jack will remember to call me 'Gaby' because that was my 'nickname' back then.

081120PSCtest, All Pets Go To Heaven, Constance La France. 2P

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Constance La France August 31, 2020 at 10:17 AM Curits, congratulations on your win in my All Pets Go To Heaven challenge with this emotional write, it touched my heart _Constance

Anne-Lise Andresen August 25, 2020 at 12:11 PM - A deeply moving story, Curtis :) - Congratulations on your win :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Rob Carmack August 11, 2020 at 7:30 PM I remember reading somewhere a long time ago that age 10 was statistically the worst age for a boy to lose a father. After reading your entry, perhaps pets too? Losing Jack was tragic, but you shutting and staying locked down is like losing Jack 50+ times. I suggest prying that heart back open, even if you have to tear it apart. And when the time is right, I would have to recommend a Dachshund of course.