The SWAMP REVIEW
Closed Tulip in the Garden
by Cienna Reyes
Vicky, pleasant Vi to life,
I miss the days when you shined—
Wind against your yellow tulips,
We sat outside, enjoying ourselves,
Smiling, laughing, gossiping.
The sunhat you wore while gardening
Hid the sadness I knew you felt,
Weeping in the dark,
Yet you still smiled.
I remembered us baking.
“You always chill your cake,” you said.
I admired your skills,
The woman you were—
A mother, aunt, sister, and daughter.
Sweet Vi, what was God’s plan?
He took you from your bed,
You rested so peacefully,
He knew your pain and took it away.
It was time...You knew, I didn’t
The white palace, airy and bright—
Do your yellow tulips still grow?
I hope He gardens with you,
You and Him, smiling, laughing, gossiping.
When I saw you last,
The silver flower on your finger
Shined like those days—
Just you and me, alone.
You rested, quietly,
Cold to the touch, gone.
“Why did you have to go?”
I whispered, embracing you,
One last time.
I kissed your head, brushed your hair,
Crying you were free,
With Him to guide you.
My pleasant Vi, in life and death,
In my mind, I’ll remember you.
Every Dog Deserves His Rest
by Cienna Reyes
He walked the same route every day,
briefcase in hand, occupied on the phone.
The city bustled in the morning–
whistling its favorite tune,
horns, footsteps, the morning rush.
Today was different, an alley hush,
between the dumpsters and trash,
a frail creature curled up with ribs-sharp
and bare.
A dog whose breath was barely there,
its eyes, bright and blue, dimmed in pain.
A life once strong has now been drained,
by a world too cold to lend a hand.
The man ended his call and knelt,
his heart pulled tight, his soul blighted.
For all his wealth, even he knew the ache
of being alone.
With careful arms, he raised the animal
its body is so thin and weak,
a creature worn, with nowhere to go or speak.
No dog should fade in such a grime,
filthy, environment–forgotten
like a ghost in passing time.
So in the light, under the sky,
He laid it to rest, with one last sigh.
As it slept in his arms, each breath grew thin,
stroked its fur, let the peace step in.
A final gift, a goodbye, a softened end,
Because every dog deserves a friend.
His jacket blanketed the angel
and as he walked away from fate–
overworked, horrible boss, late nights.
He knew the truth, deep inside his chest
even the tired deserve rest.