"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened"
by Anatole France
Animals: all the various kinds
every shape or color I'd choose
I'd love them all, not one left behind
in my longed-for garden's earthy hues
And, for each one, a home with nice views.
In my garden, two squirrels you'd find
for each needs a friend that looks the same.
Cows, lookiing so sweet, you know they're kind
and, of course, only those that are tame
Thus, no lioness with tousled mane.
Rock Island hens, and the birds in flight
a chorus of songs from those that sing,
Bunnies, puppies, kittens, black or white.
To all creatures, this wish I would bring
a warm home, safe far from winter's sting.
Categories:
anatole, animal, appreciation, nature,
Form: Quintain (English)
holding Abigail in my arms
my cat is treated to lessons mother
passed on to me
bury your face in her neck
and gently rub your cheek
she will arch backward into the nuzzling
chew softly on her ears
the more you pay attention
to the back of the head
the brain will fire neuropathways
and the memories of mother
will come thru
she pulls back into that look
where we take turns rubbing cheeks
cheek to cheek we declare we belong
to one another
Anatole France noted until you
have loved an animal
you are only a half soul
sometimes my nights need a bit more
to settle the day's dust
the little bottle in the bathroom
comes in the same pink box
i remember wrapping at Christmas
the joy in that present for her
and that is all it takes
full concentration for the night's list
of those in my deepest prayer
one little spray from that bottle
and i am in church next to my mother
lost in the wonderment of a congregation
devoted to the good of mankind
united in prayer and song
such are the neuropathways of mother
God's creatures are blessed as such
mother and a single spray
of White Shoulders
OKC 2/23
Categories:
anatole, mother,
Form: Free verse
in mother's world when dawn comes
it is the business with the animals
fed and watered, personal attention
let the dog out, clean the cat box
feed the birds
then we eat and at the table
the wandering cocatiel
politeness demands a share
of your breakfast
things to remember such as
which ice cream belongs to dogs
sayings like Anatole France
until you love an animal
you only a half of your soul
these are things a farm girl brings
to life in the city
OKC 6/22
Categories:
anatole, i miss you, mom,
Form: Free verse
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” Anatole France, French Poet
A pet can steal your heart.
The dog that you brought home
who always wants to play
is one you come to know
you’ll never give away
A pet can steal your heart.
A precious kitty cat
at night curls up with you -
if ever she gets sick,
there’s nothing you won’t do.
A pet can steal your heart.
It doesn’t matter if
it’s very big or small
because when you are hooked,
you’ll give that pet your all.
A pet can steal your heart.
I know this truth because
when my dear pets passed on,
I sadly realized
bits of my heart were gone.
Categories:
anatole, pets,
Form: Rhyme
In the freshness of June's dayspring morn,
all of nature appears re-born
an image from my walk today also inspired by Luke 1:78
Categories:
anatole, seasons
Form: Crystalline