The Love that Remains
Remembering my beloved dog, Sierra
Even though a year has now
Come and quickly gone, since you
Left,
I still ache to see you and
Pet your soft and furry head;
Sierra, even death can't
Eclipse the love that remains.
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*
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AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I am afraid sometimes that the hurts to our hearts across the years never really heal- they simply fade from memory, or are jostled out of the front of our minds by other (apparently) more pressing or painful matters. In this poem, I am reflecting on grief as 'love perservering,' as the writers of WandaVision so aptly put it.
Each line in here is intentionally seven syllables; supposedly, one gets a dogs approximate age in 'dog years' by multiplying their actual age by seven. I liked the idea of honoring that with the syllable count (though the actual science of 'dog years' is, naturally, unreliable!!) The exception to the pattern is of course the third line, which I wanted to keep at only one striking syllable as a means of reflecting the difficult and abrupt change that a loss creates.
Thank you for reading! If you have ever lost a pet, I hope you too can find the comfort and processing you need, when and how you need it. <3
About the Creator
Gabriel Huizenga
Twas for love of words that I first joined this site:
Poetry, essays, and dear short stories too;
For to live one's best is to read, and to write!
So find me in words here, and I'll find you 💙
Thanks for stopping by! :)
Reader insights
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Compelling and original writing
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Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
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The story invoked strong personal emotions
Comments (6)
Sierra was the most lovely and loved pup. This is a wonderful tribute to her <3
Beautiful and so intentional in stylistic choices! Dogs are such a gift and leave such a hole when they’re gone.
I'm so sorry for your loss 🥺 I love how the syllable count represented dog years. Your Acrostic was so poignant and touching.
Holy cow, 7 7 - wow. I “talk” to my numerous passed pets every day. Very hard sometimes without them and every place reminds me! Great eclipse poem, I loved it. 😍 Feel better… 🤗
This is a beautiful and moving elegy to Sierra and a wonderful entry to the challenge. I love the use of eclipse in the final line, Gabriel. It is so apt!
Beautifully done and what a tribute