Snowbunny, I am sorry you lost your beloved dog. What was her name? I have three memorial gardens for my lost dogs. The first is for Bridget, an incredibly smart, funny, Golden Retriever/Lab mix. Two years before I lost her, she helped me dig the water garden, me with my shovel, she with her paws. When the liner was installed, the water added, and the rock edging in place, we began and ended every summer/spring/fall day there. In the morning I would sit and drink my coffee, Bridget at my feet, and at night, we would sit and listen to the frogs and watch the fireflies. She is buried on the other side of the path. I put a shepherd's hook over her grave and hung her collar from it. Six years later, though faded, it is still there, as are my memories of my beautiful girl. And though they are covered with moss now, her beloved tennis balls can still be seen, here and there, among the plants. My little Homer, a rat terrier, died two years ago. His loss has hit me like a ton of bricks. On the last camping trip with him, I found a triangular rock that I brought home and less than a month later it became his grave marker. I hung a grapevine wreath on a tripod behind his grave and grow a beautiful vine with bell-shaped flowers over it. A friend gave me a small angel holding a tiny dog in her arms, and I put that there too. Because hiking and camping were Homer's favorite activities, besides loving me, whenever I go camping or hiking, I bring home fossils, special rocks, and small pieces of driftwood, and surround the angel with them. And lastly is the Big Dog Memorial Garden. It is in honor of Big Sunny (165 lbs), O'Malley (120 lbs), Badger (110 lbs), Byron (90 lbs) and Peanut (125 lbs), all whom were dearly loved. The plants in this garden are all huge, either in leaf or in height, and it is located by the large pond they all loved to dive into during the hot summer months or played on the ice of during the winter. My best to you. Whatever you come up with for your garden will be wonderful. Kate

Maybe not the fall poem you had in mind but very apropos of recent events. From Robinson Jeffers: Fire On The Hills The deer were bounding like blown leaves Under the smoke in front the roaring wave of the brush-fire; I thought of the smaller lives that were caught. Beauty is not always lovely; the fire was beautiful, the terror Of the deer was beautiful; and when I returned Down the back slopes after the fire had gone by, an eagle Was perched on the jag of a burnt pine, Insolent and gorged, cloaked in the folded storms of his shoulders He had come from far off for the good hunting With fire for his beater to drive the game; the sky was merciless Blue, and the hills merciless black, The sombre-feathered great bird sleepily merciless between them. I thought, painfully, but the whole mind, The destruction that brings an eagle from heaven is better than men. And it took some searching, but I found a poem by Charles Bukowski ("Poet Laureate of Skid Row") fit for general consumption: Rain by Charles Bukowski a symphony orchestra. there is a thunderstorm, they are playing a Wagner overture and the people leave their seats under the trees and run inside to the pavilion the women giggling, the men pretending calm, wet cigarettes being thrown away, Wagner plays on, and then they are all under the pavilion. the birds even come in from the trees and enter the pavilion and then it is the Hungarian Rhapsody #2 by Lizst, and it still rains, but look, one man sits alone in the rain listening. the audience notices him. they turn and look. the orchestra goes about its business. the man sits in the night in the rain, listening. there is something wrong with him, isn't there? he came to hear the music. And if you're ever in San Francisco, you must visit City Lights bookstore. Here is a link that might be useful: City Lights

Here you go, Patti- A feather from an Angel is one we hardly ever see. But this one is quite different And special as can be. This feather is a reminder of a special person's loss ... Who is now your Guardian Angel. Watching and protecting from above. And 2 more- I am an angel feather, sent from God above To serve as a reminder He watches and sends His love. I'm from your Guardian Angel, That the Lord assigned to you. She dropped it in her struggles, As she protected you. Each time you almost stumble, Each time you nearly fall, Thank God and all His angels, For answering your call.........unknown or this one: A feather from an Angel Is one we rarely see. But this one is quite different, And as special as can be. This feather is a reminder, Of Mom's unending love. She is now OUR Angel, Watching and protecting from above.

Dian,the memory candle is a lovely idea. These are three poems I had saved, not sure if they are what you want. Elspeth A Special Little Spirit ~~~Author Unknown~~~ "You're a Special Little Spirit," the all great Master said, As he gently caressed the curly brown hair of the Little Spirit's head. "You need to go to Earth to spend some time, you know. A place I send most Spirits to be tested, to learn and grow. " The Little Spirit, in sadness, slowly bowed his head, And from his eye a tear did steal and down his cheek it shed. "Don't you fret now little one, I won't let you stay too long, I'll bring you back to help me Here, You'll hardly know that you've been gone". "You're my choicest Little Spirit, you're the apple of my eye." And He wiped the tear and gently kissed His Little Spirit good-bye. "I'm back," Little Spirit whispered, as he climbed onto his Master's knee, And the Master said, "I told you, you would not be long away from Me." And then, the Lord, He noticed still another tear welled in his eye. "Why are you so sad, Little Spirit, whatever should make you cry?" "I'm glad I'm back," Little Spirit said, "but Master You must surely know, When Your Angel came to get me, I didn't want to go. I know You said You needed me and that I'd be gone the shortest while, But Lord, couldn't I have had a little longer earthly trial?" The Master let Little Spirit slip down from off His knee, He firmly took the little hand and said, "Come walk with Me." The Little Spirit and his Lord walked slowly hand in hand, As the Master explained his special part in the great and marvelous plan. "Now Lord, I don't mean to argue, I understand that You needed me Home". "But I left in such a hurry, I left everyone hurting and alone. I didn't let my earthly parents know how much I loved them so. I was much too small to tell them, Lord, how will they ever know?" "They feel they've been cheated, and in a way, so do I. Not getting to share any more than we did, how can I ever tell them why?" "Little Spirit, I know your heart is heavy with this message you need to share. I'll send them loving comfort, as a strong and helping hand. I'll content and give peace to their aching hearts, so they will understand." The Little Spirit looked up at his Master and said "Thank you for explaining it to me." And could You please tell them I'm safe and happy and that someday they'll be here with me?" "Yes," said the Lord with a smile and a nod, "I'll tell them all that I can." Then the others came to see the Little Spirit, as the Lord let go of his hand. He said, "I'll tell them you're pure, as pure as Heaven's Gold, That I needed the warmth of your perfect soul to keep Heaven from getting cold." Fly, fly little wing Far beyond imagining Pass the planets and the stars Leave this lonely world of ours Escape the sorrow and the pain And fly until we meet again. Fly, fly precious one Your endless journey has begun Soar beyond the sky above Upon the wind of Heaven's love Cross over to the golden shore Where there is peace forevermore Hold my memory, light and sweet Until we once again can meet. Fly, fly, do not fear Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear Your heart is pure, your soul is free Be on your way, don't wait for me Above the universe you'll climb On, beyond the hands of time The moon will rise, the sun will set But, Little One, I won't forget. Fly, fly little wing Fly where only angels sing Fly away, the time is right Go now, dear one, find the light (Unknown author) Dearest Mommy When you wonder the meaning of life and love Know that I am with you, Close your eyes and feel me kissing you in the gentle breeze across your cheek. WHen you begin to doubt that you shall ever see me again Quiet your mind and hear me, I am the whisper of the heavens Speaking of your love. When you lose your identity When you question who you are and where you are going, open your heart and see me. I am the twinkle in the stars smiling down upon you, Lighting the path for your journey. When you awaken each morning Not remembering your dreams But feeling content and serene Know that I was with you- Filling your night with thougths of me. WHen you linger in the remnant pain Wholeness seeming so unfamiliar think of me and know that i am with you, touching you through the shared tears of a gentle friend easing the pain As the sunrise illuminates the desert sky In the breathtaking glory, awaken your spirit think of our time, all too brief, but ever brilliant. when you are certain of us, together when you were certain of your destiny Know that God created that moment in time, Just for us Dearest Mommy, I am with you always. -Joanne Cacciatore