I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

27 April 2012

Cat Love
















Sometimes, absent-mindedly,
he would call this black boy cat
by his eldest son’s name, then 
shake his head and correct himself.

I think that was even before
his mind began slipping —
though who knows when 
such gradual slides begin?

And the animal would snuggle up,
or lie at his feet for hours
when he worked at his office desk — 
‘Just us blokes together.’

I am giving him extra cuddles now,
the cat. I wonder how long before
he realises that this absence 
will not come to an end?

He and his sister have learned:
beloved humans go away and come back 
after days or weeks or even months. 
Some reappear after years.

I wonder how long it will take
this time, to understand? Meanwhile,
unless I mention them first,
the man never speaks of the cats.

April PAD Challenge #26: An animal poem.

Also submitted for Poets United's Poetry Pantry #98

5 comments:

  1. A very moving poem, Rosemary. I dare not comment too much, but to say it could pierce a snowman's heart.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Rosemary, how poignant. So sorry!

    ReplyDelete
  3. great insight here. you build a lot of character here, in a relatively short poem, and cover a lot of humanity. a sad poem indeed, but well written... well focused.

    ReplyDelete
  4. These lines moved me to tears. You have captured both the pain and resignation of old age.

    ReplyDelete
  5. A very poignant but sad and realistic part of many people's lives. Nicely written. Commenting from Poet's United.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are moderated and will be visible after being approved by the blog owner. If you can only comment anonymously, please include your name in the comment, just so I know who's talking to me.