Three-legged and Happy

Poem by: Michael Cleary

Reads: 16 | Likes: 2 | Shelves: 1 | Comments: 3

Frequently I see this beautiful retriever

bounding around as best he can.

His happy tail wags in rain or shine

Not down or sad by his disability.

He plays with the other dogs unfazed

and I wonder if he understands

he’s not quite as fast or nimble

as those four legged dogs?

He's carefree and handicapable

his missing limb will not stall his life

does he remember the day he lost it

or the day he learned to live without it?

You are an inspiration to me retriever

no bitterness or self-pity in you.

Instead of focusing on what's missing

you are three

legged and happy.

Submitted: February 13, 2025

Poetry reflection life inspiration thought

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KateWrites

Animals are astounding. When they are under severe threat and escape physically unscathed, my understanding is that they literally shake it off. Somewhere down the line, we appear to have lost this instinctual response.

Have you ever seen footage of blind dogs? They get along just fine for the most part, because their sight is nowhere nest as crucial to them as their sense of smell. Impressive resilience. There is much we can learn from them.

I like the reflection and inspiration this poem presents.

Thu, February 13th, 2025 6:29pm