To My First Dog

To My First Dog Long asleep in your unknown grave, My companion, loyal and beloved Throughout my youth’s growing years, You cannot know nor now see How you do still bring tears to me With memories haunting Of the ways our friendship yet remains. Asleep so still… With fury has over a half-century passed Since daddy took me to choose you From a wriggling, yipping litter of Nine-week-old, black and tan, mutt pups On a straw-strewn wooden platform set Against a pet store’s window…All of you Squirming and…begging For a child about age nine — like me — To come pointing, excitedly…begging, “That one!” As our black eyes met — yours directly melting into mine — Glinting great hopes… (Remember? ) Now even there ~ In heaven’s waiting while dreaming, In your halcyon grave’s space , You cannot know nor wonder How love survives still Holding onto smiles past the tears that grief brings For a long and deep heart’s treasuring. E————————————————————————- (c) sally young eslinger 11/1-3/2023 Thanks be to God———