Reuben

Reuben was a friend of mine…


At first glance he looked so weak,
Shaking with fear and future bleak.
Caged in, closed off, trembling, alone.
His pain so great, he’d sit and groan.

He was so weak he could barely stand.
In gentle love I gave my hand.
Slowly, closer, he checked me out.
Filled with fear and racked with doubt.

In time he would grow strong again,
And he would love me, my dear friend.
I held him close, embraced his pain.
I took him in from cold and rain.

He had known such pain and loss,
Neglected, starved and temper-tossed.
We fit together like hand in glove.
In my arms he knew true love.

He learned to sing along with me
He believed in happy endings he.
Our years together were filled with joy.
He learned to dance my happy boy.

His coat was thick when fully grown.
When he was good he got a bone.
The leash was his most favorite treat.
The joy of that could not be beat.

Then came the end as I knew it would.
He knew exactly where he stood.
I held him when at last he died.
Recalling his life, I laughed and cried.