Witnessing the Call

By Diane Cypkin

I think he knew . . .  
I could see the sadness in his eyes.
I could see the fear.
He kept trying to get up.
He kept turning toward the window and the sun, warming the room . . .  
The two people around him cared.
They cleaned him.
They hugged him.
They put his favorite multi-colored blanket under him.
There were some cookies at the front desk that they fed him and that he ate with gusto. 
Then his name was called and he was carried in . . .  
A little while later I saw his owner come out . . . silently crying . . .  
Danny, the beloved dog, was gone.
No more tasty treats.
No more joyfully running in the grass.
No more playful “kisses” just for being . . .  
In a moment, it was all a memory.

Dr. Diane Cypkin is a Professor Emeritus at Pace University who won the Kenan and Russet Awards for teaching, and the Jefferson, and Pace President’s Award for service.  Her academic work garnered her membership in the Pace Society of Fellows.  This poem reflects her absolute love of animals and their innocence.