Grieving Their Loss

There can be scant expectation
of feverish attempts to fill a void
caused by the loss of the 
companionship of love and mutual 
dependency in the absence of a 
well-loved pet whose creature days 
are cruelly numbered, cut short
by the stark reality of the limits of
biological survival when Death
comes stalking its prey. Seeking
the balm of consolation in other
young adoptees creates a diversion
expanding the capacity to
welcome another emotional
attachment, but in the calm hours
of sleepless nights, anguish
and regret make their silent
visitation once again renewing
the raw pain of the punishing loss.