Ode To the Departed*

When I woke up this morning

There was a sad sight

It seems our dear Hiss

Had died in the night

For almost a year

He'd done very well

So why he died

We just can't tell

We used the moment

To teach our young son

A bit about life

And what happens when we're done

I got a small box

And there lies our snake

For the Lord saw fit

That he should never again wake

At first I think Garrett
Thought the box was fun to fill
For in his sweet little head
He thought the snake was just very still

I taped the box tightly closed
A coffin I did make
Reading, "Here lies Hiss
A really a good snake."

He was very good for a quick garter snake
Sitting calmly in my hand while I held him
Allowing Garrett to kiss his small little head
And not getting freaked by every toddler whim

I dug a small snake sized hole

With the help of a wee little guy
Who was learning that it's really no fun

When our beloved pets die

We put Hiss in the ground

In the hole that I dug

Then Garrett started in with

"Please, mommy, one last hug!"

Of course we couldn't allow

Our son to hug a dead reptile

And that's when the morning became

All tears and not even one smile

Troy buried the casket under the dirt

And Garrett's emotions hit the wall

He frantically tried to undig his pet

Troy held him close while he did bawl

So here lies our sweet little snake
Who joined our family last summer
He was so little, just a few days old
Three seasons later, his death is a bummer

We'll miss you, dear Hiss
We'll miss you a ton
Though no one quite as much
As my precious little son...

"Goodbye, snake. I love you so much."

*Not technically an ode, I know.