Waiting Room
Here we are again, as you lie on the
floor,
At the side of my chair, your lead
lying slack,
Just one look at you, it’s no wonder
We were asked to sit at the back.
I felt it was the least that we could
do,
Because you’re not too strong in the
knees,
And they didn’t want the other pets
put out,
Nor frightened, nor infected with
fleas.
Cos now you’re old, and you’re
toothless,
You’re half-deaf and you’re
half-blind,
All of which I can put up with:
It’s the incontinence that I mind.
You’re becoming increasingly
forgetful.
You just look puzzled, you old wretch.
And you stop half way to the stick:
You’ve forgotten what you were going
to fetch.
You’ve become an economic burden,
And now that you’re not very well,
You’re neither use nor ornament.
And, on top of all that, you smell.
So here we are for your last journey,
The end of the road for you as a pet.
The life-force of you will soon be
ended,
By that needle in the hands of the
vet.
So don’t you look up at me like that,
With those big, brown, trusting eyes.
I’m sure you can see into my purpose,
This visit is one way – it can’t be
disguised.
You’ve grown up with me and the
children,
You’ve always been faithful and loyal.
You’ve put in your years of good
service,
And to us you’ve been a friend quite
royal.
Dammit, everybody loves you,
Though you’re a toothless old hound.
You’re just a part of the furniture -
I think that it’s time we turned
round.
Let’s leave this deathly waiting room,
Let’s walk right out calm and steady.
You don’t need to be pushed into this,
We can do it when I’m finally ready.
Copyright Andy Fawthrop 2016
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