In Transit A Poem

I moved from Writtle in Essex to Portscatho in Cornwall.   Very different villages but first I had to get there apart from Crispin  on my own. Major my ancient golden died just a week before the move...He was the last of a whole group of dogs who had grown old together.
As I prepared  to leave one village for another I wrote a poem for my friends and their dogs.

I carry them with me these ghosts

As I move from fast to slow, chaos to peace

Essex  to  Cornwall.

A dream,almost  realised, this move approaches

And I feel their presence.

Sam, Win and Major, old frail and vulnerable.

Sweet memories overide the sadness of loss.

Keeping friendships pacts.

I loved them, all three and their caring people.

The dogs were young together, played, hunted and swam in tandem.

As each grew old the others steadied them and supported their infirmities.

We walked slowly side by side on easy tracks to protect their grace and dignity.

They were beautiful, faithful and true.

Gone now, Major went last.

The other two, old hands at being dead will show him the celestial rabbit fields, the rivers to breast, the sand to dig ……and David

David will be there to greet his dog, strolling in sunshine

Friends at his side, smiling at regained exuberance.

The four will rest easy with me as I drive home.

Away  from the old life and into the new.

The people I have to leave.

The dogs come with me.

I aplogise for this bit of self indulgence....I found the poem again whilst contemplating Crispin's life span...ot lack of it.