24 x 48 inches, oil/wax on canvas, 2017
Available for sale. Call for price. Giclees available upon request.
Memories
I miss them so much
I love them so much
the furry and feathered babies who
have passed through my life
Some stayed for a season
some stayed for years
each one’s passing
left a hole in my heart
The squirrel family
who fearlessly leaped
branch to branch
sharing seeds and limb with
glorious migratory flying friends
The hedgehogs who burrowed
between tree roots
dining on newly planted bulbs
Mr. Racoon and sons who stole
away on moon soaked nights
snatching gourmet meals
from the neighbors’ trash
The foxes who ran
like the wind
The hippity hop hares who hid
until they passed
And, of course,
the dear does who joyfully
played and pranced
using shade as a canopy
for their antics
How proudly they
watched their young
lounging on sunlit green!
No matter how much time has past
the pain is still great
I remember the love in their eyes
the love they unconditionally gave
the joy of holding them
With each sweet memory
my heart cries
I die a little
wishing
I could hold them again
It takes all my strength
not to succumb to the loss
the pain of missing them
the pain of sadness
To weep and weep
until my holes are full
and my memory forgets
but I can’t
I love them too much
And I am so grateful
they were in my life
– Shelley Lowell