In honor of my hero: Mary Van Damn of F.A.I.R. in Chicago, IL who currently cares for 50 sick, elderly and dying shelter ferrets: *^*Fire Flies*^* I was much loved when I was young My girl and I would play She'd pick me up and hold me close And Oh-the things she'd say! She loved me more than moon beams as they streaked 'cross purple skies Her laughter filled my heart with joy Life sparked like fire flies But light fell black, then blinked, and died The moonless nights were cold No laughter, love, or fire flies For me as I grew old A cage, some food, the litter changed No girl to kiss my face There was the cat, and then the dog That came to take my place Her love was not: it blinked, and died And I was left to fear Much older, sick, afraid- -alone: Until "they" dumped me here I Thank you for the food I eat The place I sleep, the vet I see I Thank you for supporting F.A.I.R. By doing so-you care for me The candle caught-then flickered bright Fire flies flame the sky tonight The girl and cat and dog are gone But Mom is here to hold me tight I'm not so fun now that I'm old I sleep a lot you know I drink this soup, and then I poop And when I walk I'm slow But Mom sees moon beams in my eyes And kisses me each day She gives me meds and trims my nails And keeps my fears away I am just a throw out ferret Too busy, menopause Moving, baby, puppy, college Stinky-Just because Fire fly flickers like fairy gold: The candle's burning out But Mom will be here at the end: That's what it's all about. For Mary-My Hero- and every shelter Mom out there PLEASE support your shelters Lisette [Posted in FML issue 2809]