I Never Went Away

I stood beside your bed last night,
I came to have a peep.
I could see that you’d been crying,
You’d found it hard to sleep.
I whispered to you softly,
As you brushed away a tear,
“It’s me. I haven’t left. I’m well. I’m fine. I’m here.”
I was close to you at breakfast,
I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today,
Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels,
I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today,
You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you that I’m not lying there.
I walked with you toward the house,
As you fumbled for your key,
I gently put my paw on you,
I smiled and said,
“It’s me.”
You looked so very tired,
You sank into your chair,
I tried so hard to let you know that I was standing there.
It’s possible for me to be,
So near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty,
“I never went away.”
You sat so still,
So quietly.
Then smiled.
I think you knew.
In the stillness of that evening,
I was right there, close to you.
The day is over,
I look at you,
I smile,
I see you yawning,
I say,
“Good night. Sleep well. God bless. I’ll see you in the morning.”
And when the time is right for you,
To cross the brief divide,
I’ll rush right up to greet you,
And we’ll stand side by side.
So many things to show you,
So much for you to see,
Be patient,
Live your journey out,
Then come home and be with me.

— Unknown