Poems
The Rainbow Bridge - Author Unknown
Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.. When an animal dies - one that has been especially close to someone here - that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water, sunshine and cozy beds, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they each miss someone very special, someone who had to be left behind.
. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass - his legs carrying him faster and faster.
. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain on your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet - so long gone but never absent from your heart.
. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.
- author unknown
An Alternative Rainbow Bridge - Author Unknown
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and grey,
damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the
recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never
experienced a day like this before. However, the animals who had
been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on
and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.
It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view; head hung
low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been
there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had
seen this happen far too often. He approached slowly, obviously in
great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike
all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not
been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he
walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals
watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he
could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he
approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an
Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to
pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over
Rainbow Bridge. With no place else to go, the elderly animal turned
towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other
animals like him, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but
rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the
pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place amongst
them, watching the pathway and waiting. One of the newest arrivals
at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked
one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to
him.
"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue
just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur greying and
his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with
only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly
existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no
one to escort him across The Bridge." The first animal thought about
this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he
was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the
gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person
and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a
golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they
were in their prime of life. "Watch, and see.", said the second
animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the
pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the
person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The
newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The
Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.
"What happened?"
"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were
those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when
their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who
never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to
perform one final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those
poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow
Bridge."
-Author Unknown