Leaflets From My Life - Gowri - My Lovely Puppy Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Gowri was the name given to her,
Gorgeous white Pomeranian,
Black eyes bright like
Black berries ripe,
A loveable pet,
A welcome addition to my family!

So cute! Like a snow ball!
So adorable that
I could not take my eyes off her!
I was besotted by the little puppy,
No work except to play with her
Nothing else mattered or bothered me!

I was in my eighth class then,
In school still, but not a wee bit
Serious about my studies, all the while
Spending my time with my Gowri,
Playing, running, jumping,
Prancing, chasing and laughing!

Gowri was a gift
Given to me by a kind uncle
A gift to study well,
And for passing examinations!
Overjoyed, I was by this wonderful gift
Overwhelmed, by the tiny, lively puppy!

So attached to my little puppy,
So obsessed with her mannerisms,
Held her day and night,
Held her tightly in my arms,
Not a moment away,
Not a moment alone!

At first my parents did not notice my
Attachment to the little puppy;
Soon, they took note of my obsession,

Sensing that I was losing all interest in my studies;
Mathematics was a subject that I scored hundred
Mathematics score changed to a pile of zeros!

My school friends teased me of
My madness, made fun,
Many sang together in chorus,
Mary had a little lamb….'
As i ran hither and thither with Gowri,
Assisting me everywhere like a guardian angel!

Time cannot stand still
Time has to move on!
O how I wished that time stood still,
O but alas! Time waits for no man!
After school, I left my parents abode
And moved to my grandparent's house!

I missed Gowri and the hours of fun,
I guess, Gowri too, must have missed my funny pranks,
Days and months passed,
Duties to learn became my priority,
My mother and my siblings took my place
Majestically looking after Gowri like a little princess!

A companion so faithful,
A companion so steadfast,
Gowri became an integral part of the family,
Guarded and lived with us for eleven years,
But one fateful day, a
Big dog pounced on her and gave her a nasty bite!

In spite of treatment, medicines,
Injections and bandages,
Gowri bravely fought to recover, but,
Gradually, the little pool of eyes
Drooped like a fading flower, and the
Delicate body gave up her zest for life!

I still remember, on a sad morning,
I woke to my mother's alarming cry,
I got up and ran to see the terrible sight of
Gowri lying quiet, still, and dead
Gone was her shrilly bark, her sprightly jump,
Gone was the ray of jubilance from the house!

We decided to give Gowri a respectful funeral.
My father carried her in his arms,
While I walked alongside with a bunch of flowers,
She was buried in the burial ground for children.
As I bent down to place the flowers on her grave,
I bid her a final goodbye while tears rolled down my eyes!