POEM FOR PEPE
If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you should do what must be done,
For this last battle can't be won.
You will be sad - I understand,
Don't let grief then stay your hand,
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love and friendship stand the test.
We've had so many happy years,
What's to come can have no fears,
You'd not want me to suffer so,
When the time comes please let me go.
Take me where my needs they'll tend,
Only stay with me until the end,
And hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you too will see,
It is a kindness you do to me,
Although my tail it's last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Don't grieve that it should be you,
Who has to decide this thing to do,
We have been close, we two these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
It is with great sadness that I've just learned of the sad passing of Matt Johnson in February 2005 in a message from Mike Powell. I created this page for Pepe's poem quite a while ago and would like to keep it on the website as it has always been popular with listeners. Our thoughts are now with Louise, Matt's wife, and wish her the best for the future.
Matt and Louise had a lovely cat called Pepe who was in a very poorly way during the summer of 2003 and Matt's mother sent him this poem called "If It Should Be". Fortunately, Pepe made a good recovery thanks to "Gayton Vets" in Redhill.
Matt read this poem one Sunday afternoon during that summer in 2003 on Mike Powell's show and received a huge reaction amongst listeners. Many times Mike was asked to repeat the poem or asked for copies. Thanks to Matt for sending this to me so I could publish it here on the website. Unfortunately, we don't know the author's name. I have tried searching the internet and this poem does come up quite a lot but all the websites state "author unknown".