ALONG THE ROAD by Robert Browning Hamilton

I WALKED A MILE WITH PLEASURE
SHE CHATTERED ALL THE WAY;
BUT LEFT ME NONE THE WISER,
FOR ALL SHE HAD TO SAY.

I WALKED A MILE WITH SORROW,
AND NE'ER A WORD SAID SHE;
BUT, OH, THE THINGS I LEARNED FROM HER
WHEN SORROW WALKED WITH ME!

****

THE PAWPRINTS LEFT BY YOU.

You no longer greet me, as I walk through the door.
You're not there to make me smile, to make me laugh anymore.
Life seems quiet without you, you were far more than a pet.
You were a family member, a friend...
It will take time to heal - for the silence to go away.
I still listen for you and miss you every day.
You were such a great companion, constant, loyal, true
My heart will always wear,
THE PAWPRINTS LEFT BY YOU.

****

DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die.

****

I HAVEN'T LEFT AT ALL

I saw you gently weeping as you looked through photographs
You paused for just a moment at one that made you laugh;
But as you turned more pages the tears began to flow
You whispered that you missed me but I want you to know;
I softly licked those stinging tears that down your cheeks did fall
I want to help you understand I haven't left at all.

On those days that you are overcome with sorrow, pain, and grief
I rest my head upon your leg to offer some relief.
When you take our walking path I've seen you turn around
Because I know you surely heard my paws upon the ground.

At night while you are sleeping I snuggle at your side
You stroke my fur as you touch that place where I used to lie.
You said it's just your heart playing tricks upon your mind
But rest assured I'm really there my spirit's left behind.

I know your heart is hurting; it's like an open sore
You think my life ended and you won't see me anymore.
But for those of us bound tightly by love, death is not the curtain call;
It's really the eternal beginning that waits for us all
So, dear Mommy as you live your life I patiently await
For us to be together when you pass through Heaven's gate.

****

IF TEARS COULD BUILD A STAIRWAY

If tears could build a stairway.
and memories a lane.
I would walk right up to heaven
and bring you back again.

No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say "Goodbye".
You were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.

My heart still aches with sadness,
and secret tears still flow.
What it meant to love you -
No one can ever know.

But now I know you want me
to mourn for you no more;
To remember all the happy times
life still has much to store.

Since you'll never be forgotten
I pledge to you today -
A hallowed place within my heart
is where you'll always stay.

****

No matter what anybody says about grief
and about time healing all wounds,
the truth is,
There are certain sorrows that never fade away,
until the heart stops beating
and the last breath is taken.

And so it is for me.

****

When tomorrow starts without me
Don't think we're far apart

For every time you think of me,
I'm right here inside your heart.

There it is my darling all said and done. Remember my sweet little boy to keep watching that Bridge for one day I too will cross over. I will run and find you and your sisters and we will all be together forever and ever and always. Until that day I am and always will be Your Mommy in Love.