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.

30 January 2015

My Black Cat

My black cat,
my handsome black cat,
the perfect cat for a witch,
is named Levi. His other name is
'familiar'.

When I cast
my magic circle
on the night of the full moon
my black cat is with me, and also
the fairies.

He grows old,
this dear cat. Me too.
Sometimes, when the weather's cold
only the fairies dance, by the light
of the moon.















At dVerse Meeting the Bar this time, Tony Maude invites us to try an extended (or expanded) cinquain with one extra syllable per line than the form invented by Adelaide Crapsey. What this version might be called is still being debated, but the term Maudern cinquain, suggested by one user, is proving popular. Although Tony himself feels it would be arrogant for him to use it. I have no such constraint and am adopting it forthwith. This poem is a sequence of three of them. 

42 comments:

  1. nice...we have had cats for longer than we have had children...
    if i was going to have a familiar as well...a cat is not a bad choice...
    i am pretty sure my cat knows everything that is going on...ha

    ReplyDelete
  2. That was gorgeous -- thanks for the tour of the magic rituals , the cat and all those feelings.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cats are such independent creatures; you are privileged indeed if one allows you to share its life.

    Enjoyed reading this, Rosemary,

    Tony

    ReplyDelete
  4. a witch and her cat growing old together...very sweet poem.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I liked this - and the image invoked of dancing under the moon

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes...it happens to us all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I like to remind myself — the alternative's worse!

      Delete
  7. Truly, our pets are treasures.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh! Beautiful. My cat, too: Miracle is 20 and doesn't dance much anymore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 20 is a great age for a cat. You have obviously taken very good care of Miracle, who deserves the name. :)

      Delete
  9. I adore cats, but sadly I am allergic.
    This is a sweet and quite magical write...

    ReplyDelete
  10. My family have had cats since I grew up.. and I recall how the last cat was by my parents for many years after me and my sisters moved out.. I like Brian's comment, that cats stay home longer than kids.. We have not gotten any cat, but there are great cats in our neighborhood that we can enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Although I am a cat person, I like dogs too — and in my neighbourhood there are other people's dogs with whom I have great relationships. (Smile.)

      Delete
  11. We are dog people but Levi is a handsome fellow. Lovely poem to him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sometimes call Levi my cat-dog, or even address him as 'Dog', as he is very dog-like in some of his behaviours, e.g. coming when I whistle.

      Delete
  12. Great poem, Rosemary. Now I cannot help wondering how your cat got to be called Levi.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know, Gabriella! I 'inherited' him at 7 months old from someone who could no longer keep him. I never found out why she chose that name.

      Delete
  13. Heartwarming and makes my heart ping at the same time. "He grows old, this dear cat. Me too." Tears. Me too, kiddo.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Soon as I saw this kitty all I could think of was his name being Binks. Levi is a good name too though. If cats could read I think Levi would love this poem you wrote.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think he is rather too regal for Binks, lol! He loves most things I do, and puts up with the rest.

      Delete
  15. I am more of a dog person, but my son wanted a cat last year and got a black one. I wrote a poem about him once titled "We Should Have Named Him Trouble." But he can be pretty loveable when he wants to. Peace, Linda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's hard to live with any pet animal without getting to love it. :)

      Delete
  16. I'm allergic to cats but I like your image of the circle cast by the witch with her cat and of their aging together.

    ReplyDelete
  17. It is grand to have good company! They purr but no talking back! That is fun, Rosemary!

    Hank

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Believe me, he does his best to talk back at times!

      Delete
  18. Loved the last one. You craft a magical world with your words. :-)
    -HA

    ReplyDelete
  19. This made me miss my long gone cats; it's wonderful to have magical companions.

    ReplyDelete
  20. smiles.. she sounds like a good friend, your cat... and this reads wonderfully magically

    ReplyDelete
  21. I now leave dancing to the fairies too. Excellent write.
    Anna :o]

    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.