Tag Archives: Aiko

Eulogy for Aiko

(Poem 302 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

Our sweet girl fell asleep
for the last time yesterday.
She was our timekeeper,
door alarm, friend, snack
stealer, companion, guard
who would play with any
trespasser, reluctant auntie
to many small animals
including kittens, a puppy,
hamsters, and a possum,
our deer chaser, pond
swimmer, pack leader,
bossy lady, fluffy fluffer,
treat eater, snow lover,
couch layer, baby protector,
Charlotte’s sister, smart girly,
whose faithful, consistent,
steady, sincere, gentle, easy-
going, curious, loyal, loving
nature made our family
a stronger pack and we
will be forever grateful
for the love she gave
so generously every day.

Aiko is survived by Kenji, Chika, Cotton Eyed Joe, and Kylo from her fur pack and was especially close to Charlotte and Julian, who were honorary members of her pack because they were children during her lifetime. Charlotte and Aiko were born the same year and grew up together.

@Home Studio – 302nd poem of the year

More Aiko Pics:

Losing Beauty

(Poem 248 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

Beauty & Aiko in all their regal gorgeousness. They know they rule the kingdom.

To be without Beauty
feels plain and bare,
lacking in something.
A presence at once
regal and understated
has gone missing, and
in its place is an ache,
a pang, maybe a twinge
of listless longing for
some undefined touch
of elegance that is both
gracious and aloof,
familiar and unknowable.

@Home Studio – 248th poem of the year

Runner ups for the Losing Beauty photos to accompany my poem:

1. Beauty & Kage on guard duty.
2. Chika, Beauty, & Cotton Eyed Joe snuggling.
3. Beauty & Chika sharing my chair.
4. Beauty holding hands with Kenji.
5. The last picture I ever took of Beauty—Beauty & Aiko holding hands.