I loved my friend.
Langston Hughes
He went away from me.
There’s nothing more to say.
The poem ends,
Soft as it began,—
I loved my friend.
Langston Hughes (1901-1967), was a revered figure of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s. This extraordinary Black poet and activist, whose influence reverberates through history, crafted a heartfelt ode to his cherished companion, “F.S.”
In this concise, free-verse masterpiece, Hughes shuns ornate prose and intricate metaphors, opting instead for simplicity. With poignant grace, he reveals that in the face of overwhelming grief, words often fail us, leaving only the enduring power of love. The bittersweet refrain of “I loved my friend” echoes throughout, infusing the verses with an undeniable sorrow, yet embracing a resolute fortitude that quietly persists.
Rusty Dog
~2001 – 4th April 2019
No one knows exactly when Rusty Dog was born. His puppy days until maybe when he was one or two years of age is a mystery. But he became a Chan in around 2003 when we adopted him from RSPCA Burwood.
Rusty was a strange sort. He didn’t make a single noise for several months after we adopted him, and he was very timid and almost obsequious in coming to spend time with us – head down tail down coming for a pat. I don’t think he was treated terribly well as a young dog and he came into our lives somewhat traumatized – I like to think he ran away from a bad home.
But in the following months he showed his “escape artist” skill set as well as coming out of his shell to become a lovely dog, full of character and interesting quirks. Rusty loved eating and was often caught eating things he wasn’t supposed to. He was, like all healer type dogs, inherently lazy with enormous bursts of energy albeit lasting a few seconds. Later in life he struggled with weight, loss of eye-sight, and some hearing – but a healthier diet soon got at least one of these under control.
In April 2019 the hard decision was made to let him go – old age was making him suffer unreasonably and it was definitely time for him to take a long deserved rest after giving our family 16 years of love, affection, and joy. Four years after he passed, I sit here writing this ode to my friend Rusty as tears stream down my face. I miss him so so so much but I am so happy that he was part of my life. A large chunk of my heart has been torn from me and I know that hole will never be filled again. But when I venture off to our family’s favourite camping spot, I can take a walk into the wilderness and to the very spot where he rests today alongside his blanket, favourite toys, and a packet of Smackos which he really did go whackos for.