2005 Rainbow Bridge Equines

In Memory of Petey

She looked at you, Petey, and shuddered to see
Skin stretched across bone like a timpani.
The urge was great to turn away
But your sweet, open face compelled her to stay.

In your brave eyes she saw a light
That said "Let's try. I want to fight."
With the bumps and the pain and bones so weary
You watched her smile, saw her eyes grow teary.

You heard her curse:  "What evil force
Could allow a person to hurt such a horse!"
You should have been someone's beloved pet;
Such pain, she thought, you could never forget.

She couldn't have known what you wanted to say:
"With each touch that you gave, a bad week fell away.
With every kind look, an old hurt was displaced.
You whispered you loved me; my past was erased."

With faith and with courage, she seemed to know
When the time had come to let you go.
Her heart's fiercest wish was for you to stay
But she held you so gently as you slipped away.

When you run with the others, the wind through your mane
You imagine you hear her whisper your name.
You eat the lush grass, your body restored
No longer discarded, unloved or ignored.

You left this earth not broken or shattered,
For you knew you were loved; you knew that you mattered.
As the moon starts to rise and you rest in the clover
Your thoughts turn to the one who helped you cross over.

Author - Karen Daw

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