From here and there they came
damaged, broken, and torn
and much like myself,
they were wilted and worn.
Old souls who'd seen far too much
stories written in their eyes
searching for safe haven
a well deserved prize.
One by one, a pack we formed
misfits all, one could tell
protecting one another
from our memories of hell.
More joined as the years passed by
healed by the love of a pack
we tripped and stumbled through our days
determined never to look back.
Then I woke up this morning
wiped the sleep from my eye
gazed as they lay sleeping
what I saw made me cry.
My pack, now old and gaunt
gray outlined their face
these once vibrant little ones
had somehow been replaced
As broken souls had mended
their bodies aged some how
time passed when I wasn't looking
surprised with the here and now.
Eyes had clouded gradually
weakened hearts missed a beat
minds faded into the shadows
appetites gone to the deep.
And though I too had grown older
perhaps my lifespan longer still
I knew that I would lose them
It was a choking, bittersweet pill.
How ironic it should be so
for they fought to keep me alive
never letting me succumb to
that deadly, final dive.
They chased away my demons
and surrounded me with affection
wagging tails and content purrs
was sweet, sweet perfection
Quality of life they gave me
how can I offer any less
though the day to day decisions
sit heavy upon my chest.
But a burden they will never be
these old souls that I watched grow
to care for them whatever it takes
is my honor to bestow.
When the time comes to release them
I pray for strength and grace
and hope that I will rejoin them
in another time, another place.
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