A Treasure Undefined

In the gentle whisper of the wind, in the quiet of the dawn,
Lies a question profound, on why our hearts are drawn
To creatures great and small, with spirits free and wild,
Why must we love them so, each beast, each pet, each child?

Because they give us all, without a single demand,
Their presence, a silent gift, in life's shifting sand.
Defenseless against our might, yet they bear us no ill,
In their innocence and trust, our better selves they instill.

Eternal children, they roam, in fields of endless green,
Unmarked by hate or war, a purity unseen.
They know not of wealth or greed, for them it holds no charm,
A shelter from the storm's cold, the only balm.

With eyes that speak volumes, in silence, they convey
Emotions deep and true, in a most unassuming way.
Their gaze, untouched by malice, reflects a soul so pure,
A lesson in being, from which we could learn more.

Free from envy, free from spite, their spirits soar and dive,
In forgiveness, they abound, teaching us to thrive.
Loyalty and fidelity, in their love, we find,
A constancy so rare, a treasure undefined.

They seek not lavish quarters, nor comforts wrought by gold,
Their happiness in simple things, a sight to behold.
Love, they do not purchase, for it's not theirs to buy,
In patient hope, they wait, under the vast, open sky.

Companions true, friends to the end, through every trial, every test,
In their presence, we find peace, in their love, we are blessed.
Alive, so vibrantly alive, in every breath, every mirth,
Their existence, a mosaic, of unquantifiable worth.

For all these reasons and more, their love we must return,
In caring for them, in kind, a greater love we learn.
Closer to the divine, through their unconditional embrace,
In loving them, we find grace, a reflection of God's own face.

March 7, 2024
Created by 
MarkWaldrop

The Cat Lies Here

In the heart of our home, where the warmth nestles near,
A pillow proclaims, with a message clear.
Not just fabric and fluff, but a throne for our peer,
"Move over," it says, "the cat lies here."

This cushion, a kingdom, for our feline dear,
A realm where they reign, without any fear.
A spot so sacred, the rules are severe,
"Move over," it whispers, "the cat's comfort is premier."

Beneath the sun's rays, or the moon's soft veneer,
This pillow holds stories, memories we revere.
In its fibers and threads, love's woven tier by tier,
Marking the spot where the cat draws near.

Here, in this haven, the message is sheer,
A declaration of love, loud and clear.
For our whiskered companion, we cheer,
"Move over," the pillow says, "for the cat lies here."

In this cozy corner, where the cat commandeers,
We find joy and laughter, year after year.
So let it be known, far and near,
"Move over," the pillow declares, "our heart's pioneer."

March 6, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop

A Steadfast Gaze

In a world that stretches wide and far,  
My loyal dog, a guiding star,  
He looks out the window, a steadfast gaze,  
Lost in the beauty of the trees' maze.  

For hours on end, he stands so still,  
Watching life unfold at the windowsill.  
Every motion, every fluttering leaf,  
Brings him excitement, a joyful belief.  

He shakes, he barks, with all his might,  
A guardian through the day, a sentinel at night.  
Then silence falls, he's calm once more,  
Gazing at the world he seems to adore.  

I wonder, in his silent watch, what does he see?  
A world beyond our grasp, a secret key?  
Protecting me, with unwavering faith,  
His presence a shield, a powerful wraith.  

Against all evil, he stands so brave,  
Ensuring my safety, the path he paves.  
With him by my side, I fear no fray,  
Safe and sound, night and day.  

In his eyes, a world unseen,  
A bond unspoken, forever keen.  
My dog, my friend, through thick and thin,  
Together we face what lies within.

March 6, 2024
Created by 
MarkWaldrop

The Dog Sits Here

      The Dog Sits Here

In a cozy nook of our home, where sunlight softly peers,  
Lies a cushion, not just any, but where the dog commandeers.  
A simple pillow, it might seem, to uninformed eyes,  
But it holds a declaration, a claim that implies:

"Move over," it whispers, with embroidered cheer,  
"This spot is reserved, for the dog sits here."  
Not just a spot for resting, but a throne, it's clear,  
For our furry friend, whom we hold so dear.

Here, amidst the laughter, the joy, and the tears,  
Through seasons and moments, through hopes and fears,  
This pillow stands sentinel, year by year,  
A symbol of love, for our canine peer.

So let the world know, as we hold them near,  
That this isn't just any place, it's where the dog steers.  
In this corner of comfort, without any jeer,  
"Move over," the pillow says, "the dog sits here."

March 6, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop
ap777.org

Hear My Call

In the realm of whispers, shadows cast,
I stand, a Pitbull, holding fast.
Misjudged by many, known by few,
A fighter in a battle that grew.

Not in the rings of rage and roar,
But in the silence of my core.
A foe unseen, a harsher war,
Cancer, the shadow at my door.

With every breath, a battle cry,
Under the quiet, starlit sky.
Strength not in jaws or fearsome might,
But in each day I rise to fight.

And so I stood, with heart aflame,
Against a foe that many name.
Through pain and fear, my spirit soared,
In battles not chosen, but never ignored.

The only fight I've ever known,
Was one that chilled to the bone.
Yet here I stand, beneath the sun,
A warrior's tale, bravely won.

I am a Pitbull, hear my call,
Not in arenas, but life's hall.
A survivor, in every sense,
My victory, my recompense.

March 6, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop

A Silence has Descended

In the quiet dawn of '70, beneath the boundless sky,
Where birds once soared in numbers, beneath the sun so high.
A silence has descended, where songs once filled the air,
Thirty percent have vanished, leaving emptiness to bear.

Habitats once lush and wild, forests deep and grand,
Have dwindled under human touch, across this sprawling land.
Meadows, marshes, woods, and streams, homes to winged delight,
Now bare, transformed, or lost, a sorrowful, fading sight.

More people, fewer birds, a truth we cannot hide,
Our footprint grows, the earth it groans, in this selfish stride.
Nests abandoned, echoes fade, in skies once vibrant and alive,
A testament to what's at stake, for those who still survive.

Yet, in this tale of loss and woe, a glimmer yet remains,
A chance to change, to heal, to grow, to break these binding chains.
To restore the balance, plant the seed, of a future bright and fair,
Where birdsong fills the morning light, a chorus in the air.

Let us heed the call of nature, with gentle, caring hands,
Rebuild the homes, preserve the wild, across these precious lands.
For in the harmony of life, where diversity is key,
Lies the beauty of our world, in its soaring melody.

March 5, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop

Alone He Stood

On my homeward path today, through the city's roar,
I found a soul amidst the road, a heart both pure and raw.
No others by his side, no sign to where he belonged,
Alone he stood, his cries loud, in a world so vast and wrong.

We ventured to the vet, in search of any clue,
No chip to tell his tale, just eyes deep and true.
So, in that moment clear, I felt our fates entwine,
"Let's be a family," I said, "your story now is mine."

We journeyed home, a duo formed from chance,
I watched him as he slept, in his quiet, tranquil trance.
His breathing soft and steady, in dreams, he did embark,
In our home, he found his peace, a light within the dark.

His first photo, a symbol, of joy and newfound hope,
A promise of the tales to come, with which we'd learn to cope.
Thank you, little wanderer, for choosing me, for showing,
That amidst life's fleeting moments, love unasked can start flowing.

Animals choose us, in ways we can't foresee,
They walk into our lives, and set our spirits free.
So here's to our tomorrows, to the laughter and the tears,
To the silent understanding, as we conquer future fears.

With each snapshot captured, may our memories grow,
A chronicle of happiness, a testament to show,
That in the act of saving, I was the one saved too,
Thank you for coming into my life, for making it anew.

March 5, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop

A Spirit Astounds

In the wilds where silence roams,  
Lies a truth, in nature's tomes.  
The wolf, a creature, stark and keen,  
Not as dark as it's often seen.  

Never feasting on the dead,  
Walking paths where honor's led.  
A life in pairs, fidelity's song,  
In love's embrace, where wolves belong.  

Monogamous, true to its mate,  
A bond unbroken, sealed by fate.  
Should death part ways, a soul bereft,  
Alone it stays, in solitude left.  

Knowledge of kin, a lineage proud,  
Supporting elders, a promise avowed.  
Bringing sustenance when strength wanes,  
A family's love, in their veins reigns.  

In the moment of its final breath,  
Eyes meet yours, challenging death.  
Intelligence that surpasses bounds,  
In its gaze, a spirit astounds.  

Unyielding to the will of others,  
Its essence, no training smothers.  
A symbol of wild freedom's call,  
In its spirit, we see our own thrall.  

So remember, when tales are spun,  
Of creatures under the moon and sun.  
The wolf, in movies cast as vile,  
Bears a nobility, across each mile.  

Let's rethink the stories we've narrated,  
Of beings, unjustly denigrated.  
For in the wolf, there's much to admire,  
A reminder to elevate our gaze higher.

March 4, 2024
Created by
MarkWaldrop

A Spirit Not Broken

In a world not always kind, under skies sometimes grey,
Lived Reggie, a little dog, in turmoil's harsh sway.
His fur, as white as fresh winter snow,
Held a story of sorrow, more than most know.

Two months past, fate's hand gently guided,
To a soul in need, where love resided.
A cruelty endured, one eye lost, a spirit not broken,
In Reggie's heart, his resilience, a token.

At two, life's chapters, both bitter and sweet,
Found solace in kindness, a gesture so neat.
A new family's embrace, a haircut, a sign,
Of beginnings anew, where stars align.

On Sunday, the scissors whispered tales of rebirth,
Trimming away the past, revealing his worth.
And today, oh today, in the playground's embrace,
Swings cradled his dreams, in a serene space.

He soared through the air, with the wind in his fur,
A moment so pure, no past could deter.
He wanted to say hi, to the world, to the sky,
A simple hello, from a dog, once shy.

Reggie, the little white dog, with a heart so vast,
Teaches us love, resilience, a bond that will last.
In his eyes, a story, a journey, a plea,
To see beyond sorrow, and just let him be.

So here's to Reggie, a beacon of light,
A testament to love's unwavering might.
In a world not always kind, he found his way,
A cute little white dog, who had much to say.

March 4, 2024
Created by 
MarkWaldrop

If My Cat Could Talk

If LittleBit could talk, what would he say? 
Thank you for being my family every day.

Keeping me safe and warm, I'm most thankful for.
Taking me to the Vet when my paw is sore.

God sent me to you, and you to me.
To give us comfort and security.

If I go first, which I most likely will.
Meet me at the Rainbow Bridge. 
We’ll all cross over the hill.

March 3, 2024
MarkWaldrop
Penned for
Biscuit T. & Ann Sims