Old Dogs

And farewell.../

He was big and white, a lover of a soft bed

With my fingers tight, I stroked his large head

White as snow and kind as a dove

Taught us about life and unconditional love

Running amok in a bed of snow flowers

Clamoring to come inside during May showers

His clumsy feet became slow

And there were fewer places he wished to go

With soft brown eyes, his head turned to me

Going to navigate a path I could not see

Through that valley we walked

And for the last time, I talked

To calm the unknown, his fear of the end

Calling on special ones to wait there for my friend

In the midst of that sad, shady summer time

Head bowed in sorrow for that upward climb

“That night I dreamed

in peaceful sleep

of shady summer time

of old dogs and children

and watermelon wine”

--Tom T. Hall