A Visit To The Bridge by Phyllis Elledge

A Visit to the Bridge
by Phyllis Elledge (aka Water Weasels)

There is a place, or so I've been told,
where it never rains and it never gets cold.
And all everyone does is eat, run and play, or,
if they want, lounge around all day.
There's sunshine and love and everyone's healthy,
and to get in here you don't have to be wealthy!
No one is fearful or ever feels alone
and they're no longer tearful
for they know they are home.
They say the water's like honey and food abounds;
I've even heard there are raisin trees around!
It sounds like Paradise, too good to be true . . .
can they all be happy and never be blue?
I think I'll sit, just take a look.
I see a nice spot right there by the brook.
Wait, over there . . . did I see a ferret?
I'll just sit and watch and try not to scare it.
Hey, I can see 'em! Ferts everywhere!
All running around like they don't have a care.
As I sit and watch, my eyes open wide,
for Bullwinkle and Duckie come and sit by my side.
I see Kira and KoKo, I heard they were here;
Nickademus and Dotty also come near.
There's Re-Run and Shreddy, Potatoe and Fox
all dookin' with Pee Dee, Baby and Sox.
Tonic and Scamp sure look proud!
And Hans, Sable and Tigger are just running wild!
Smokey Joe and Bear Ryan relax in the shade.
Like Igor and Tasha they sure have it made.
Sharmyn and Kulou are kicking up their heels.
You can tell that these kids don't miss many meals!
Yogi and Faith are both fat and sassy,
and Littleone and Froderick sure do act brassy.
Here come Gizmo and Peanut...what's that on their heads?
Looks like daisies from the flowerbeds.
Inga, Ab and Domino are briskly war dancin',
while River and Stinky are happily prancin'.
Widget and Dweezil stretch out on the ground
while Scooter Pie and Snowball bounce all around.
Chip and Dale are together again...
and Mr. Weebles and Rosie are re-united,
they're friends.
Valentine and Nicky snorkel in the stream,
while Ashley and Bandit tickle each other 'til they scream.
There's Jasmine and Koral wrestlin' with each other,
while Rascal is chased around by Peanut Butter.
As Belle Starr and Samantha just lie there and pose;
Dusty and Rascis swat at a rose.
I see so many kids...Chelsea, RC and Emily, too;
Sassy, Junior and Garret just to name a few.
Each way I turn there are so many ferrets;
some waiting on friends, some for their parents.
And even the ones who on Earth had no home
are taken in here, no longer to roam.
They've all come together to live as one,
and all they have to do is eat, sleep, play and run!
For everyone here is fuzzy, healthy and fat . . .
and everyone here has their dignity back.
Here there's no conflict and everyone's safe.
Isn't it hard to envision this place?
When the kids get tired and are ready for bed
there are plenty of places to lay their heads.
Cubbies and hammocks hang in the trees
or they can lie on a blanket wherever they please.
There are Bandits and raisins and Yogi Treats, too!
And toys galore . . . I'll name one or two.
They have socks and balls, and things on strings...
pull them too hard and they'll really go ZING!!!
There are tunnels to dig and flowers to un-pot,
and no one cares if they do it or not.
No one gets scolded or punished, you see,
for on every new morn all's as it should be.
There is water to play in, to snorkel or swim . . .
and every once in a while a fert gets pushed in!
But it's all in fun and there's never a fuss.
Wouldn't it be nice if that could be us?
This has gone on throughout the years,
and the little ones ask that we shed no more tears.
For the meadow is one of the nicest places,
and while we're apart they won't forget our faces.
"We lived our life there, whether good or bad,
but we still don't want anyone to be sad.
For now, don't you see, we're not sick any more,
or hurt or abandoned, or kicked out the door.
And up here no horrors ever unfold...
many are here 'cause they just got so old.
They lived their lives 'til they got so tired,
and you kissed their heads as they expired.
Here, don't you see, we're all happy and fit,
from the very, very old to the tiniest kit.
We wait in the meadow by the Bridge, you see,
and some day we'll cross it, you and me.
We may bring a friend, or two, maybe three,
'cause some have been adopted by you and me.
For some had no names, others no homes,
and it's not their fault, they shouldn't be sad and alone.
So shed no more tears and think loving thoughts of me.
Keep me in your heart and one day you'll see
That we'll be re-united, and then side by side,
we'll cross the Bridge to the other side."