"Beau" a poem by Jimmy Stewart

[WI_DEM]

He never came to me when I would call
Unless I had a tennis ball,
Or he felt like it,
But mostly he didn't come at all.

When he was young
He never learned to heel
Or sit or stay,
He did things his way.

Discipline was not his bag
But when you were with him things sure didn't drag.
He'd dig up a rosebush just to spite me,
And when I'd grab him, he'd turn and bite me.

He bit lots of folks from day to day,
The delivery boy was his favorite prey.
The gas man wouldn't read our meter,
He said we owned a real man-eater.

He set the house on fire
But the story's long to tell.
Suffice to say that he survived
And the house survived as well.

On the evening walks, and Gloria took him,
He was always first out the door.
The old one and I brought up the rear
Because our bones were sore.

He would charge up the street with Mom hanging on,
What a beautiful pair they were!
And if it was still light and the tourists were out,
They created a bit of a stir.

But every once in a while, he would stop in his tracks
And with a frown on his face look around.
It was just to make sure that the old one was there
And would follow him where he was bound.

We are early-to-bedders at our house--
I guess I'm the first to retire.
And as I'd leave the room he'd look at me
And get up from his place by the fire.

He knew where the tennis balls were upstairs,
And I'd give him one for a while.
He would push it under the bed with his nose
And I'd fish it out with a smile.

And before very long
He'd tire of the ball
And be asleep in his corner
In no time at all.

And there were nights when I'd feel him
Climb upon our bed
And lie between us,
And I'd pat his head.

And there were nights when I'd feel his stare
And I'd wake up and he'd be sitting there
And I reach out my hand and stroke his hair.
And sometimes I'd feel him sigh
And I think I know the reason why.

He would wake up at night
And he would have this fear
Of the dark, of life, of lots of things,
And he'd be glad to have me near.

And Now he's dead.
And there are nights when I think I feel him
Climb upon our bed and lie between us,
And I pat his head.

And there are nights when I think
I feel that stare
And I reach out my hand to stoke his hair,
But he's not there.

Oh, how I wish that wasn't so,
I'll always love a dog named Beau.

[Berserker]

1. This part

He bit lots of folks from day to day,
I shot the fucker is all I can say.
I'm one of the folks he bit that day.

[WI_DEM]

2. are you a mail man? :)

[Berserker]

8. Nope Love Jimmy Stewart

just havin fun.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

3. I have the clip of him reading that on the Johnny Carson DVD set...

...and while some may find it treacly and sentimental and foolish, I don't really care.

Anyone who's ever had a pet, loved it, cared for it knows exactly what Mr. Stewart was talking about. Carson was rendered speechless by the reading of this poem. I'm sure he was extremely grateful for the commercial break that followed.



:toast:

[pacalo]

10. You got that right.

My dog is my little toddler & I can surely identify.

I'll never forget Jimmy Stewart's voice cracking at the end when he read that poem. He had such a good heart. Love that man. And Johnny Carson.

[TahitiNut]

18. I watched it. I had a Black Lab named 'Bo' ... and cried.

:cry:

[linazelle]

4. A real tear jerker. Thanks. n/t

[spuddonna]

5. I remember watching Jimmy Stewart read this poem on Johnny Carson...

I got all teary then, and I just got all teary now...
:)

[cynatnite]

9. I remember watching that...

It's one of my fondest memories when Carson ran the show.

I miss both Carson and Stewart.

[spuddonna]

11. I've thought about buying that dvd set just for that...

I loved watching Jimmy Stewart on Johnny Carson. :) I'm an old movie buff and Jimmy is one of my favorites...

[Rude Horner]

6. I didn't think I'd cry

But I read it and now my eyes are wattery. Those damn pets - they become so much a part of the family, and they leave too soon. I've lost two cats and a dog, all in the past couple of years (old age), and I miss them. Especially my cat Sally. She was my special one. The one who would follow me when I went to bed, jump up in bed and lay on my chest, expecting her nightly rub. As I type this, I'm looking over at her picture which I have near my computer. I loved her so much, and I wish to God I could have her jump on in bed with me again.

For those who's pets are nearby - go give 'em a hug and a long rub, just for the heck of it. You won't have them forever. :cry:

[KT2000]

12. you are so right

They must change the DNA of our hearts or something.
I don't know what happens after this place - but I hope to find myself in the company of the pure hearts that I have known as my cats. That would be heaven.

[SoCalDem]

7. I saw him read that poem on Johnny Carson, show.. Both of them blubbered

like little kids.. I did too:cry:

[WI_DEM]

13. me too.

[applegrove]

14. Yup - loved all Jimmy's poems & stories. What a character he was.

[Binka]

15. I Met Him In An Elevator In Beverly Hills 1986

He was going to some awards banquet and I was with my ex leaving a plastic surgery convention. The ex sold medical supplies to tit and ass Docs. Anyhoo we got in an elevator and there was Jimmy and his wife. I was so overwhelmed (cuz I Love Jimmy so) that I said "Oh My God!" Jimmy's wife said (pointing to Jimmy) "he was just gonna say the same thing because he loves leggy blonde's." Then I got him to sign my ex's business card (no paper!) He even gave me a kiss. He smelt like a million BUCKS!

[patdem]

16. His wife sounds just as lovable as Jimmy...and what a great story you

have there Binka!

[applegrove]

17. I love the way he adored his wife.

[Lost4words]

19. I remember it to, thanks for posting this!

When I was little, a priest told me dogs and cats dont go to heaven. I have had nothing to do with religion since.

[WiseButAngrySara]

20. I loved reading this, even though it brought me to tears! My sweet

Penney, my beloved dog-child is going blind, has mild arthritis, and mild CHF(congestive heart failure), and is also losing her hearing! She has been with me through the worst of times, and continues in her constant adoration. I can't bear the thought of her dying, but know that the end is approaching. She has kept me alive during times of extreme despair!

[Joe Fields]

21. Loved Jimmy Stewart and loved his poems.

He read a poem on the Tonight Show about a lake in Africa, whose water was as smooth as glass...

I died laughing.

A true American role model.

Thanks for the memory of him today. Brought a smile to my face.