What Do You Do When A Good Friend Dies? By Mark-David Cohn

What do you do when a good friend dies? 
Do you lash out in anger and curse at the sky. 
Or grasp hard denial, the means of the weak, 
In an effort to kindle the comfort you seek.

What do you do when a good friend dies? 
Once life's breath, so precious, gives the chest final rise. 
In haste you take blame, no other at fault, 
You kneel upturned earth and deem all happiness to halt.

What do you do when a good friend dies? 
When with him the times, both good and bad, lie. 
Do you cast aside the past, for memories hurt much too much, 
Or struggle and fight for that last lingering touch.

What do you do when a good friend dies? 
When all of the tears have all but been cried. 
No matter how much, no matter how hard you try, 
The only thing to do is say farewell. 
Goodbye

Mark-David Cohn (1996)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It has been 13 days since you left, Chippy, but memories of you are all around me.
No matter where I go, I will think of you.
We have walked the whole neighbourhood together, just you and I.
How can I forget the seven years that we have spent together in just a matter of days?

How are you doing right now, Chippy?
Did you find your papa and mama, and your siblings as well?
Is your hind leg okay now?
Can you jump and run and bark like how you used to?
Take care of yourself, Chippy, and have fun at rainbow bridge with your family and friends.
I really miss you a lot.
Every morning when I wake up, I cannot believe that you are no longer around because I feel your presence everywhere.

For now, we have to be parted, because I have to stay here to take care of Papa, Mama, Sarah and Wan Ching.
Some day in the future, we will go and fetch you from rainbow bridge, and we will no longer be apart.
See you, Chippy! I love you!
We are very sorry to leave you alone for now, but we will be reunited one day! <3
Take care!