ALICE

Palacious, big and beautiful

Inside and out

Forgave the unforgivable

Irrepressible, Irreplaceable

Asked Nothing

Gave All

BUTTON BRIGHT

SHE SHONE

FRESH AS AIR

BREEZED IN

AND GONE

Lovely,

Kindly,

My Delight

No Malice

Thank You ALICE

Elaine Ward

SACRIFICE TO THE LAMB.

She wriggled and struggled and kissed her way into my life

A small black lamb posing as a poodle pup

Oh I must have that little fidgety one I pleaded

Then waited - breath baited for the reply . . . . .

After what seemed an eternity, the answer came

And YES!

That small black lamb was to be mine

Or I hers!

She screamed the entire, never-ending journey from her home to mine

Then tornadoed her way around it on her arrival.

That wild and woolly black lamb

She refused food, point blank - I fed her with a Sliver Spoon.

At first communication was a problem

I didn't speak her language --- yet she quickly learned to ignore mine

I'd stare into those "pools to drown in"

And wonder what she was thinking

I grew her coat for showing

I loved it

She hated it

Went through the motions to humour me

that stubborn black lamb.

I introduced her to agility that bouncy black lamb

She adored it --- was born for it

All that running, jumping, barking, picking pockets

Her favourite pastime, though not mine.

In spring, I cut off the coat of that small, black lamb

Long to grow

Quick to Cut

Now when I lay in that corner of MY bed which she allows me to keep

I hear her breathing

Jealously guarding her place, her golden prize

That small black, ferocious black, precious black lamb

The guardian of my heart.

Elaine Ward

Poodle Poems

Mad Woman with Poodles

Each weekend, after hours of toil

Up to my armpits in shampoo and scorn

I drag myself from my bed before dawn

Provided the car has water and oil

My Thermos and combs are all packed

I remember my scissors and brushes

Troops yelping, excited, in spite of my hushes

Don’t forget, its before dawn has cracked

The neighbours must think I'm quite barmy

While they are still trying to sleep

I set out amid bedlam, while trying to creep

With my black woolly canine army

I arrive at my destination

And unload the troops and equipment

You see to manoeuvre this shipment

Takes strength skill and great dedication

I spend hours preparing one "soldier"

I march it around for the "top brass"

A triangle, then up and down on the grass

(No wonder I'm looking much older)

If lucky, we return decorated

With rosette and maybe a prize

(No, don't get excited - nothing of any size)

Or back through the traffic frustrated

The motorway noisy and crowded

I just want to go home and sleep

The troops are now tired and don't make a peep

Though noisy when quiet was needed

At last the homestead is sighted

Troops alerted start singing and humming

Long suffering neighbours must hear us coming

For miles, and they must be delighted!?*

"That mad woman's back with her poodles

You know the ones that are always barking

She's back and she'll mess up the parking

How many has she got? Must be oodles"

Who cares what they think? Not me - Not at all

It's really a great life you know

They should all get a life or somewhere to go

So bubbles and fluff to them all!!

Elaine Ward

To Mandie

My Beauty Queen

My Minx, how I adore you

Exquisite Love that will never be repeated

So intense, so overwhelming

You are my child, my everything

I can still feel those soft kisses

And your warm body at the bottom of my bed

You are still my World

No longer by my side but in my Soul

Sleep peacefully My Sweet Pea

I will Love you Forever

Your G