Jaxy loved animals. All animals, large or small, young or old, healthy or unwell. And they loved Jax too. This is a poem that draws from a few of Jax’s personal stories with animals, shaped by the ancient poetic form of dactylic hexameter. It’s unusual in form and meter for something modern, but I think it just makes it feel more special. I hope you enjoy it! <3
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Curious animals follow and lovingly decorate your wake
You are the magnet as canines come running, with all wags and grinning
Felines familiar and strange, finding fingertip followed by cradle
Ladybugs landing on eyeglass rims, feeling the kindness of your face
Sea turtles paddling, intrigued by your aura of joy and belonging
Lizard emerges for warmth, seeking refuge in your caring presence
Duckling abandoned by mother but trusting your tenderly kind eyes
Bright colored birds flock to join you in kindred roost, tribe of the rainbow
It never mattered to you how they looked, but if needed or wanted you were there
Life can be so unfair taking a way so much more than it gives us
You lead with love and with caring and joy and you got what you gave them
Sometimes we people forget how the way you live matters but not them
Animals understand where to find nurturing spirits among us
You are the one they found so many times, empathy sought out and given