For Finbar

Dear Diary,

I have recently bought a copy of A Thousand Mornings, a selection of poems by my favourite poet, Mary Oliver. I cannot choose a favourite poem from this book as I love every one but I was inspired to write one today about my dog Finn in the way Mary Oliver has written a poem about her dog Percy.  She admits to copying the format from the poet Christopher Smart and his poem For I will consider my cat Jeoffrey. So  this ‘idea’ goes on.  I spent an hour of this Sunday morning writing it and I must admit that while doing so I shed many tears ...   but then tears are always healing, often a sign that the spirits of those who have passed are close to us. I apologise because this is the second (sad) poem I have posted in a row! 

Finbar 1997-2012

For Finbar

For I will consider our dog Finn.

For I loved  him and am still bereft.

For he was kind and never hurt one soul.

For he  had a golden coat, a pure, soft, honeyed caramel.

For his nutbrown eyes were deep and wise.

For he read my thoughts.

For I read his mind.

For he understood my words.

For he had such powers to wrap himself around me.

For he was a  healer of the sick, a friend and guardian of our home.

For he would howl if ever I would weep.

For he held a mirror to my soul and shared my pain.

For he was brave and thought he was a man.

For he was cunning, like a gypsy’s dog.

For he was full of joys and jokes and loved to dance.

For he loved to run and race and play in snow.

For he loved to eat and lived for food.

For he would watch and wait for my return and know when I was close.

For he was kind to young ones: kitten,  pup or child.

For the cat and he were friends, cwched up before the fire, they washed each other’s coats.

For he was tolerant to a tiny fault.

For he treated my son as a brother.

For he considered himself one of us, a human.

For he suffered stoically at the end and was so brave.

For he is buried by the riverbank.

For his grave is marked by heavy stones of white.

For I still greet him as I pass and always wipe a tear.

For he loved me

For I loved him.

For he still waits for us.

Cait O’Connor

Bye for now,

Go mbeannai Dia duit,

Cait