A Lament For Jeanie Poem by Gert Strydom

Yesterday afternoon she still barked at the children
running up and down next to the hedge

where outside in the street they passed
with their noisy go-cart, pushing bike and three bicycles,
but this morning she is silent for the postman
and now she lies rigid.

What do you say about the most faithful dog
that waits on you to die of tick fever and where do you grope

to find words when your prayers do not go higher than the ceiling,
when you feel that people and God have forsaken you,
but to say: lie soft my dear friend,
you are much better off than in this world’s bleak and cold existence.

There are theological people that believe that dogs do not have a hereafter
but in my eyes you deserve your dog fun in a much better world.