I have been fortunate for a number of years to have been invited and accepted as a regular guest to the Lick Run Rod and Gun Club, a rustic cabin found in the woods of central Pennsylvania where I go to recharge the battery. Approximately 5 years ago, one of the members brought along his recently obtained dog (Emily) for the weekend. Emily had been abused by her previous owner and, as such, was quite nervous around new people. Her trust was hard-earned, and rightfully so. As I recall, we all (Emily included) enjoyed a pleasant and relaxing weekend, and Emily made new friends.
Interestingly enough, the previous week I had read an article concerning the concept of time as understood by dogs. It seems that dogs look at the absence of their owners/masters/friends as one thing and one thing only - forever. Whether a dog is left at home for the lenght of the work day, twenty minutes, a weekend, whatever, the dog knows only that the time passing is forever. I happened to watch Emily with renewed interest that weekend, especially when her owner left the cabin for any period of time. At first, she would sit staring at the door from which he had exited. After some time, she would wander slowly from room to room looking for him, not finding him, and returning to the original exit to wait for as long as it took - never long as we understand time, but apparently forever, time and again, for her.
This poem is for Emily.
For Emily
Emily sits and waits,
patiently as she can,
then wanders room to room
for glimpse of but one man
who left some time ago,
promising to return,
as happens all the time.
Now, Emily's concern
is the eternity
passing while she must stay.
Emily sits and waits
forever...or all day.
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