by Robyn Thunderchild
TO TANIA, FOREVER
'Neath the howling of the Winter wind
a lonely heart breaks down and cries
Love's cherub's gone and all seems lost
Life grows dark when an angel dies
But meadows beckon, where she once walked
as sunlight penetrates the pain
Perhaps with Springtime she'll return
and I will learn to laugh again
My dearest friend, I miss you so
Why did you have to leave so soon?
The dreams I held for us to share
are with your absence sharply hewn
Such courage, grace, and dignity
-You showed me what it meant to love
Such fire 'till cold withdrew, but then
as gentle as the mourning dove
I'd kiss you now, if you would stand
before me but a moment more
My kingdom, love, to hear your paws
come softly padding 'cross the floor
How can I tell you what belies
these words which cannot quite portray
the joy, the love, the gratitude
-that in my heart, you chose to play
Tania, you are part of me
and I of you, forever one
I live to be with you again
when my life, too, has come undone
The only fears which frighten me
are days and nights I'll spend alone
If I should face them all at once
this fractured heart might turn to stone
But now and then, the faintest sound
distracts me, 'till I feel your touch
'Tis then I know the time will come
when love won't hurt so very much
No matter what tomorrow brings
you'll always be my special child
A proper girl, but in your eyes
the slightest hint of something wild
For all the times you stood by me
when all the world had passed me by
I thank you, my most faithful friend
You turned my head, and held it high
You found me when I had no hope
and pressed your nose against my hand
You gave me strength to try once more
then led me towards the promised land
The songs we sang will carry on
such harmony will never fade
You taught me all I'll ever need
You gave your life, which death betrayed
I'll keep you in my prayers at night
and every day our love will grow
My friends will ask me why I smile
-For them to wonder, for us to know
Darling, you're the life that breathes
in every moment of the day
and though you've left this world I know
You'll never, ever go away
My precious girl, I hope you know
you've made my life a tender place
And when I cross the Rainbow Bridge
may Heaven bring us face to face.