Fragile Vessel

We had no reason to withhold from

opening our hearts to that little creature

that entered our lives.  How were we

to know the emotional toll it would

demand of us when we showered her

with attention, took such delight in her

actions and reactions, shared our life

and our experiences with that resolute,

curious, loyal and loving sprite, that

after twenty years of her presence we

would be left so desolate without her.

We would have delayed her departure

if we possibly could, but the nature of 

all living things is the journey and hers

approached cessation.  We do what we can

now to staunch her absence, recalling her

presence over the years that so enriched

our own.  Were we of sterner stuff we

could wax philosophical but we cannot.

Time, we are soothingly informed, will

relieve the anguish as we berate ourselves

for the selfishness of wishing her return.