09/25/2017
Pets in Heaven
by
G.S Gulliksen
Morning rain...wet dog barks and lonely cat cries
St. Peter, dry and comfortable in his heavenly bed
Awakes and rushes in the dark, to the ruckus
At the Holy Gate.
Your cat upon your lap, the dog at the foot of your bed
All the wonderful and living pets of this world
Your hand gently rubbing their head.
St. Peter looks out at the army of love and wagging tails and
Misplaced wails and coats of many colors and countries and
Tags upon worn leather collars from all over the world,
All of these types and tender animals clamoring, yet calm.
Why are they at the Holy Gate?
And why don't they, thinks St. Peter,
Try to get over the heavenly wall?
And how will I feed them? And what do they eat?
Will there be enough milk for them all?
They must be waiting for something...
Just watching and waiting, that's all.
"We are waiting for our masters to join us here."
The animals seemed to say.
St. Peter thought...
"If only they would quietly return with the day."
And then they say St. Peter, spied a kitten curled up with a pup
We won't make too much noise, their wet eyes said,
Could we please just wait here, beside the Great Gate,
Just until our best friend comes up?
Your cat upon your lap, the dog at the foot of your bed
All the wonderful and living pets of the world
Your hand gently rubbing their head.
So tonight, St. Peter listens to raindrops
And sad howls and quiet lonely cries in the night.
She waters heaven with tear drops, and is gentle
With our morning light.
On earth we collect heaven's weeping,
And that is our morning dew,
Awake, smile, and remember,
Your pets in heaven are waiting for you.
Your cat upon your lap, the dog at the foot of your bed
All the wonderful and living pets of this world
Your hand gently rubbing their head.
G.S.Gulliksen
1992