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This poem is something I had to write, to try to purge some of the pain and frustration and anger, at the death of a friend. Yes, Madoc was a dog... "just an animal"... but I have met many, many people in this world who had not half his soul, or one-tenth his heart. Prince Madoc was such a bright, positive part of our home - of our Family. He listened when I was discouraged, he pulled me to play when I was sullenly immersed in my work, he lay across my feet when I needed company, and we had many, many wonderful games of Tug-a-Rope.
My heart has joined The Thousand, for my friend stopped running today.
– Richard Adams, Watership Down
My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet.
– Edith Wharton
The Death of a Prince
My little friend stopped running today,
Passioned pursuit of life at an end.
The car that struck him hurried on,
Not stopping or even slowing.
The driver did not know, nor care,
The jagged hole that pierced our hearts,
And all the joy ran out of them
To puddle with the blood.
Pounding on the window, desperate yells,
And my mad dash outside to see
What caused the storm of cries -
Her face screamed louder than her words.
"A car hit Madoc!" and gulping sobs
Of futility and disbelief. I ran
Out of my shoes, the gravel unfelt
As greater pain tore at my heart.
His still-warm body cradled close,
I sobbed into his fur, his blood
Trickling down my arm,
Willing him to live, my little friend.
If love could work a miracle
And bargains could be struck with Fate,
He would be at my feet right now,
Chewing at my stockinged toes.
But Life is not that way, and thus
We must content with memories
Of chases through the house
And begging for one tidbit more.
A thousand thousand thoughts of him
Will stab and soothe our hearts each day.
I will endure the pain, to have known
The love our little Prince bestowed.
In Loving Remembrance,
Tony and Lara Burton, September 5, 2005
Copyright ©2005, Tony Burton All Rights Reserved
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