Written on December 5th, 2020
It is, after all,
a command she understands.
Sit.
So we do.
Stay is harder.
Rest in the breath is only as good
as your hammock mind allows,
and currently the swing is occupied by:
ten undone monkeys,
a small, cheerful rat,
an elephant wearing a magician’s cape,
and one very nervous jackalope.
She doesn’t mind the interlopers, though.
Age has mellowed her prey drive,
and now she nods to squirrels affably.
It’s dulled her hearing,
and now she enjoys a
good fireworks show as much as I do.
Her sense of smell is still acute,
So acute it’s asnorable.
But I don’t baby talk at her
from my cushion
(for once).
Instead, I put on a serious show.
Eyes closed spine straight hands still legs crossed,
ignoring the hammock menagerie
as they perform circus dives into cups of water
and hoot rudely at the crows overhead.
What I can’t ignore is her:
Next to me, she sits better than I do.
But then:
a jostle,
a shove that would be rude on the train,
her head juts under my elbow and
without my permission, she’s in my embrace.
The sign in my mindsky flashes in neon green:
DO NOT PET DOG WHILE MEDITATING.
But with a wrist-twist,
I touch her chest,
and under my fingers,
the feel of her rough silk
becomes my prayer.
She won’t be here long.
Nor will I.
Stay.
We try.
I love this, Rachael. What a lovely moment. <3 sweet pup.
xoxox
My Maggie-girl and I are hugging you and LaLa hard. Clementine was loved. I can see in Maggie the first white whiskers in her muzzle, and she’s slowed down, ever so slightly, from hyperspeed to sublight speed. In the quiet moments, as she snores beside me, my heart prepares for that inevitable day (there’s no real way to prepare, is there). I try to lightly hold the joy of her breathing and the silly sounds she makes when she’s excited about a walk, and the look in her eyes when she’s sure she’s going to get the most delicious treat. HUGS all around.
Thanks, Diane. <3 <3 <3
Ahhh. This is lovely, Rachael! Jessie was my meditation buddy, so good at sitting and being still while still keeping juuust enough contact that neither of us were alone. Brutus thought it was the craziest thing ever, and would go hang out with his dad where he got more attention
Goodness this is beautiful. Sending love and strength xxx
xoxo
Yes.