Waiting

Your sister remains asleep til you return

to nudge and torment

to put her in place for lagging behind and making us wait.

Now you wait again until she catches you

a dandelion clock caught in the stillness

of death and the breeze of somewhere new.

Smart you are - on the ball -

cleverer than all who knew.

Seeking out the lost, forever

finding your prized green trophies

that carried you proudly

to your collection.

And when none were there

you picked up plastic bottles the children dropped

and brought them home

for you knew the preciousness of fields,

and it’s need to be tidy

as you scampered through the buttercups.

Millie sniffed in hedge rows

knowing she was never your equal.

So you took charge of her and me

and romped in lanky grass,

scurried through tall trees

terrorising everything that leaped and flew.

And when it snowed

you squealed with delight

as the fresh white flakes stuck to your black fur.

…

It’s cold now Daisy!

In these July summer days

our loss is a burning heat

for you were once

by our side

seeing the stranger move.

…

As you scurry through heaven’s daisies, wait for us,

for one day you’ll find

Millie and me waiting … at the gate.