November 2, 2016

 

 

and Winston called

en-route to the river,

a morning welcome

to deliver.

That Golden Retriever

from across the way –

a trusted pal became

from the first day.

 

and Penny came by

every now and then-

the name we christened,

a very cute pea-hen,

who visited from

Harcourt Arboretum

at Nunenham Courtenay,

looking for a crumb.

 

And next door’s cat-

a fluffy ‘black and white’,

in her magnificence

appeared at daylight.

Our Siamese boys

always the first to see

her prompt arrival,

would then alert me.

 

and our ageing Setter,

when turning grey,

lived out his life

in the best way,

with daily walks

along Sandford Lock-

a place we still re-visit

when taking stock,

 

of the dreaming spires

and seats of learning,

and autumns bliss,

when leaves were turning.

Though short lived was

to be our stay-

A place in our hearts,

Oxford, to this day.

 

A life lived through animals

who came and went.

Everyone a gift

from heaven sent.

The joy of nostalgia-

that two-edged sword.

A constant reminder

life shouldn’t be ignored.

 

 

 

 

October 30, 2016

 

 

Oh animals

that came and went,

some by chance

and never meant

 

to live indoors –

domesticated,

sharing abode –

sophisticated.

 

Oh animals

never turned away-

all cats and dogs

please step this way,

 

and make your stamp

and presence felt,

and prove your worth,

as hearts you melt.

 

Oh animals

pass on the word

that on the grape-vine

you have heard,

 

a ‘grooming service’

at your disposal,

exchanged for love –

a fair proposal.

 

Oh animals

quickly join the queue,

that keeps on gathering

down yonder view.

 

Such luxury

you’ve never known.

Inside and outside beds

to call your own.

 

Oh animals

that came and went,

and all in,

their element,

 

lived out their days,

and remembered still,

as new arrivals come

and always will.

 

Oh animals

that went astray,

in our minds so close,

to this very day.

 

and if you’re still out there-

Splodge –  just running free,

your Mum and brother waiting

by your favourite tree.

 

 

 

September 13, 2016

 

‘Never’ arrived without any warning.

Not a hint or inkling was there.

Out of the blue, life came to a standstill,

without sense or seconds to spare.

 

Just a normal day like any other;

the same route he would always frequent.

No goodbye peck or farewell greeting,

to the other side, quick as lightning he went.

 

A lifetime of memories called on,

in that instance, when life quickly spent.

Emotion and anger reaching the surface:

All the things unsaid, but so truly meant.

 

The end – the shock of finality;

the next stage, in that second was there.

Now faced with a lifetime of solitude,

when so happy was life as a pair.

 

Two swans happily sailing together,

raising their offspring on the lake.

Until the Penn so callously taken,

leaving the Cob with new plans to make.

 

August 16, 2016

 

 

I’ll take this hour God granted me –

Three-fifty on the clock.

A call of nature awakened me.

So quiet the house, just a tick-tock.

 

I’ll take this moment every time

For ‘now’ is all that’s real.

The family safe and sleeping;

this time is mine to steal.

 

Though not for long my solitude,

as behind me gently creeps,

one who’s on my wavelength,

with four paws, a vigil keeps.

 

One who no-one else can see,

but one who’s at my core.

Who gently tempts me back to bed,

to rest my mind once more.

 

 

 

March 26, 2016

 

 

Oh Daisy, Daisy,

Daisy true.

My constant companion,

how I loved you.

 

And still do now

although you’re gone.

Oh Daisy, Daisy;

my sun that shone.

 

Oh Daisy, Daisy,

always on my mind.

Two decades of trust,

and love combined.

 

From a tiny kitten

into a cat you grew.

I knew the meaning

of your every mew.

 

Oh Daisy, Daisy,

today my heart aches.

No familiar routine,

as daylight breaks.

 

Your spirit always here;

your presence lingers on.

Of all the animals I’ve loved,

Daisy – you were number one.

 

 ( A poem for Jean)

 

Written by Harriet Blackbury.

September 2015

 

 

March 25, 2016

 

 

And rich green pastures seen all around,

thankfully, by climate change unaffected.

And Easter goslings on view leaving the nest –

the cutest one with a white vest detected.

 

And around the corner, the same black lab,

still sat on his trampoline, smelling the air;

a bit of a celebrity, though quite unaware.

His bold head thrown back, without a care!

 

And young lambs happily gambolling

beneath the Cotswold Hills,

and the Racing fraternity still talking,

of this years Festival thrills.

 

 

 

 

October 7, 2015

 

 

I haven’t looked

but I know he’s there.

I sense his presence;

his out sprawled legs

ready to sprint off,

stopping my heart

in an instance.

 

I sit and wait; he

knows I’m there.

He senses my presence.

My body shakes.

I have a plan, and leave

the room to find the

death weapon.

 

When I return – he’s gone!

and I am left wondering

‘Was he ever there at all?’

 

 

 

October 6, 2015

 

 

And in the rat holes of dismay,

where ferrets hunt out daily prey,

and gunshots loud, cause shivered spines,

and rabbits flea their safe confines.

 

No warren, a haven, when vicious terriers

set free to instinctively act as couriers,

and naïve pheasants, at a lazy pace,

become tomorrow’s captured brace.

 

With hunters pleading ‘they were born to be dead,

whilst irate Salvationist’s see mists of red.

Who’s right?   Who’s wrong? – Life’s down to luck.

But caught in the cross-fire, limps off one lame duck!

 

And in the Badger versus Bovine debate

so much now sorted; some say too late.

Whilst those with a differing point of view,

still up in arms, as sense and reason stew.

 

So If you’re a lifelong animal lover,

then step this way, but do take cover,

for bullets flying through the air,

cannot distinguish who is there.

 

The Country fox, long since, saw some sense,

and with his cubs, headed for, the urban fence,

to a safer environment, he felt was right;

snuggling up in a wheelie bin for the night!

 

 

 

 

August 25, 2015

 

 

By day, the mind quite occupied;

a list of things to do.

So vital, now forgetful;

another hour lived through.

 

By night, the mind awakened;

two cats at war, do howl.

The feral one, an interloper,

depositing contents of it’s bowel.

 

By day, the mind recalls

the disturbed sleep of the night,

and sees outside the window,

rabbit entrails – what a sight!

 

By night, the mind remembers,

to lock the cat indoors;

keeping riots to a minimum,

in the hope of cleaner floors.

 

 

May 19, 2015

 

 

She knew when to bark.

She knew when to cry.

She knew when to comfort.

She knew when to sigh.

 

She gave us her best years,

did our trusted lass,

and repaid us with loyalty;

our darling had class.

 

From the day she was rescued,

until the day that she died,

she never put a paw wrong;

she was our joy and pride.

 

She knew when to play.

She knew when to protect.

What comfort at the pet cemetery;

her memory to respect.

 

The mainstay of our family,

was our border collie cross.

Her passing, devastating;

heavens gain was our loss.

 

 

 

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