Dear Pablo
by Sharmagne Leland-St. John

Sr. Pablo Neruda
Isla Negra, El Quisco,
Valparaíso Chile


Dear Pablo,

I was terribly sad
to hear about your dog.

Three years ago we lost
our little Frenchy
and also buried
her in the garden.

When we left Tuscany
it was heart wrenching
to have to leave her there,
beneath the soil in a foreign land.

Beneath the tulip bulbs
I had so lovingly planted
on her grave, edged with stones
from Roccamare and Fiesole.

Beside the wall
where night blooming jasmine twined
as it competed
with the heady scent of Wisteria
drifting through the languid summer air.

If it's true that you believe
in a heaven for all "dogdom",

I hope they are running,
together in Elysian fields
tongues lolling, tails wagging...

trying not to miss us
as much as we do them.


Yours truly,
Sharmagne



 

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