My brother died in 2012 of oral squamous cell cancer. He was 50. Our father died in January, 2019 of living a long, full life. One of my beloved pups died of old age one week after my father. For a still-unknown reason, I started to write sonnets.
My brother died a Friday; calm, serene;
A fine man, gone too soon, I miss him still.
His dog lay near his feet, a perfect scene.
His presence brought a calm, and always will.
My father died this Monday; proud upright;
He said good-bye, his rules in full effect.
Yet, he too bowed, to dimming of the light,
I loved him so, my heart ‘ere long be wrecked.
Our puppy died on Sunday; perky, quaint,
Fierce brave true. Floppy ears, a paddle-foot;
We held her and we cried, a mournful plaint.
Rend apart your heart, share love golden pure
It tears at your soul, doth the love endure.
- David L. Stanley Jan. 2019
