Junior’s Gone [rev] Poem by Margaret Alice Second

I see my son cuddling our Jack Russell in his arms
like a baby, taking him into his room & feeding him
‘happy juice’ to restore his balance - this after the
shock of electric noise; I see Scorpio rushing home
& staring into the dog’s eyes, assessing’s condition,
feeding him milk & taking him to watch TV, the Jack
Russell happy at his feet; I hear Scorpio earnestly

Telling me - Junior looks old but happy to him; I see
me washing Junior’s blankets & Scorpio spreading
them carefully to make Junior comfortable; I see me
fleeing as Junior licks himself - his old breath stinks;
I see me running about bashing newspapers to make
Junior & Bruno, his fellow in mischief, keep quiet; I
see Junior shivering in bright sunshine and then I

Hear Scorpio announce over the telephone - do you
mind very much, I’m taking Junior to the vet - I assure
him it’s fine, Junior’s 15 years old, he’s tired, he always
watched over me as I swam and chased Bruno away
jealously - and now Junior’s gone … our Jack Russell
died today 9 October 2015 - may Junior’s memory live
on in our hearts…