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Loss and Grief: Poems & Writings
 

 

NATIVE AMERICAN PRAYER

   I give you this one thought to keep --

              I am with you still – I do not sleep.

  I am a thousand winds that blow,

              I am the diamond glints on snow,

  I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

              I am the gentle autumn rain.

 

When you awaken in the morning’s hush,

        I am the swift, uplifting rush

                    of quiet birds in circled flight.

     I am the soft stars that shine at night.

            Do not think of me as gone –

    I am with you still – in each new dawn.

 

The original poem has been attributed to Mary Frye as author, and reads:

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

 

You can read about Mary Frye and the authorship question at http://www.businessballs.com/donotstandatmygraveandweep.htm

 

 I STOOD BY YOUR BED

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.
 
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, you were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care. I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you every day.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew ... in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.

Author Unknown

 

RAINBOW BRIDGE

 

The original Rainbow Bridge poem

was written by Terri Onorato

and is copyright protected. You may find it and

additional poems and writings at her website

http://www.angelbluemist.com/portrait.html

 

IF IT SHOULD BE . . .

If it should be that I grow weak, and the pain should keep me from my sleep, then you must do what must be done, for this last battle cannot be won.

 

You will be sad, I understand, don't let your grief then stay your hand, for this day more than all the rest, your love for me must stand the test.

 

We've had so many happy years, what is to come can hold no fears, you'd not want me to suffer so, the time has come to let me go.

 

Take me where my need they'll tend, and please stay with me until the end, I know in time that you will see, the kindness that you have done for me. Although my tail its last has waved, from pain and suffering I've been saved.

 

Please do not grieve, it must be you who had this painful thing to do; we've been so close, we two, these years, don't let your heart hold back its tears.


Author Unknown

 

A DOGGIE PRAYER


So do not grieve for me, my friend, as I am with my kind.
My collar is a rainbow's hue
My leash is a shooting star
My boundaries are the milky way, where I sparkle from afar.

There are no pens or kennels here, for I am not confined,
but free to roam God's heavens among my special kind. I nap the day on a snowy cloud and gentle breezes are rocking me; I dream the dreams of earthlings and how it used to be.

The trees are full of liver treats and tennis balls abound, and milk bones line the walking ways just waiting to be found.There even is a ring set up, the grass all lush and green, and everyone who gaits around becomes the "Best Of Breed".

 

  For we're all winners in this
  place, we have no faults
  you see. And God passes
  out the ribbons to each
  one--even me. I drink from
  waters laced with gold, my
  world a beauty to behold.
  And wise old dogs do form
  my pride to amble at my
  very side.

  At night I sleep in an
  angel's arms, her wings
  protecting me, and
  moonbeams dance about
  us as stardust falls on
  thee.

  So when your life on earth
  is spent and you reach
  heaven's gate, have no
  fear of loneliness, for here,
  you know I wait.


      Author Unknown

DON'T CRY FOR THE HORSES

This poem was written by Brenda Riley-Seymore

and is copyright protected. You may find it and

additional poems and writings dedicated to the equine

at http://www.faeriekeeper.net/poetry4.htm

 

 

 

 

 

For answers to the question, "Do Dogs Go to Heaven?" (note that any species can be used in place of dog), see Dick Neville's wonderful site:

http://www-hsc.usc.edu/~cypert/dick/inheaven.html

 

For beautiful sympathy cards, artwork and memorials incorporating loving poems about animals (horses and others),

visit http://hoofprints.com/.

 

THE JOURNEY

By Crystal Ward Kent
Copyright 1998, All Rights Reserved
Visit www.journeyforanimals.com to read this beautiful writing.

 

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