Janie And Joker Poem by Barbara Haskell

For many years Janie had a friend named, Joker.
She saw him many times throughout the day,
but Joker could count on two scheduled times,
once in the morning, when the sun had not had time
to warm the bird's to singing and the air was crisp and cold
and again, in late afternoon, when the sun was setting,
the bird's, once again, quiet in their nests.
Every day, for years, Janie and Joker had these times.
You could tell that he was glad to see her,
as he hurried in from grazing at the sight of her
and as he whinnied, you could hear it in his tone.
I know Janie always talked to him.
I think he was her sounding board.
Never too busy to listen
and oh, how his antics made her laugh!
There were times he wasn't feeling well
and she would worry so...
she'd watch him extra carefully
and if needed, call the vet.
Always, he made it through,
except this very last time.
Janie and Joker, they had over twenty years together.
Joker, missed so very much.
To the end, Janie's very special friend.