My Dear Departed Dog – a Haibun
We friends step out of the café and part ways, I gaze at the familiar bustling street scene
In front of me. It feels empty and I’m hit again — you are not there, but gone for ever.
Lately, I’ve been wired by the need to check the time – how long have I left you?
Alone so frail, so diminished, so dependent.
I find the corners of my heart are empty without you – I never knew until now
how fully you resided there. I give away your unused food, uneaten when you gave up eating.
I foolishly comfort myself : you’ll be back soon, oh no you won’t, ever.
I cherish your face steadily looking back at me on my phone.
Like that I can keep you close.
HAIKU
Your gift of love feeds
My soul. You are released
My loss is the toll