Always I like to reread, fairy and folk tales. Myths especially, for I believe these tales in particular will never die because they are the deepest kind of understanding. The other day, I reread "The Bremen Town Musicians". Fortuitous! Because the Sanctuary only two days later featured the lives of Laz (the oldest Donkey at the Sanctuary and possibly the world! and Eeyore another aging equine wonder). I have always had a reverence for age, but not always an understanding. Until now, through The Donkey Sanctuary and the Donkey. The old Donkey in 'The Bremen Town Musicians' embodies when Donkeys bring to this world, hope, wisdom, grace and temperance with age. The poem is dedicated to Laz, Eeyore, Greystroke and all the others getting on that dusty road to eternity. Friends I will gladly join my steps with someday.

Most, but not all...

Most, but not all
Said the old grey Donkey.
Most humans are truly satisfactory
When it comes to us Donkeys
Humans smooth over their
Problems of cruelty, most, but not all
Correcting errors of empathy.
But a Donkey means
Many things to many people
And we are elusive, at best.
Yet there is a majesty
In knowing and loving us
As we age.
None of us want isolation
And humans find a valuable
Intent for shared communion
With us Donkeys.
We give them hope.
And teach them the ability to
Present to self.
God does not orchestrate our lives
But respects our freedom
And we are happy that we
Give humans confidence
Back in their lives.
The cross on our backs carries this
Confidence to most, but not all.
It's a bold proclamation
And we carry it as we age
With the grace of diminishment.
One day, our page will turn
We are older tonight
But our love is the same.
Most, but not all humans
Will learn from our lives
Walk indefatigably on, love majestically
And let Sanctuary reign.