The heat cools to comfortably mild.
I look out the front door
and see, on the top step,
my dear man taking the air
in his chair on the landing.
Our pantherish old black cat, Levi,
sprawls near him on the mat.
Tortoiseshell Freya is curled up neatly
close by on the second step.
And there's me. I am sitting
on the top step, leaning back
against the rails: positioned to see,
talk to and touch all three....
*********
*********
It's five years ago and more.
All of them are dead now.
Even on such a pleasant evening
I never sit, these days, on
the front steps, enjoying the air.
Sharing at Poets United's Poetry Pantry #388.
Featured by Sherry at Poets United in Poems of the Week: Furry Feline Friends We Have Known and Loved, along with poems by Toni Spencer and Susan Chast.
Sharing at Poets United's Poetry Pantry #388.
Featured by Sherry at Poets United in Poems of the Week: Furry Feline Friends We Have Known and Loved, along with poems by Toni Spencer and Susan Chast.
Oh, i can see that vision of perfect happiness, and understand you not being able to sit thrre now. I was never able to go back to our wild river, once Pup was gone.
ReplyDeleteI haven't visited your work for a while! The sadness here is almost palpable. Grieving comes in waves I think. Hope you are well, even if only sort of!
ReplyDeleteOh, this poem makes me sad, Rosemary, for all that is lost in the passing of time.
ReplyDeleteAnd it was written in a moment of sadness for exactly that ... but after all, it is a joy as well as a grief to recall those things, which can only be lost because we once were blessed to have them.
DeleteA poignant pleasure to read it again. Such memories bring gratitude along with the pain of loss. Sigh. Written so beautifully, my friend.
ReplyDeleteYes. After all, we'd rather remember than forget.
DeleteIt's sad, poignant yet such precious moments of happiness fill the heart. So beautifully penned.
ReplyDeleteIt has a real pastoral feel to it until the end. Interesting how be attibute meaning to things and times.
ReplyDeleteOh that packed a punch at the end, after starting out so gently... poignant and wonderfully written.
ReplyDeleteA sad loss..I hope you find a different sitting spot
ReplyDeleteThis is so real and sad at the same time... I so hope you can find joy in sitting outside again.
ReplyDeleteI have a nice spot in the back yard instead.
DeleteRe-visiting this spot in your heart is something that must have a reassurance to it.
ReplyDeletePets certainly do this to you even though they have shorter lives than us. I remember every pet dog, cat or injured wild bird that became part of the family that somehow gave us a feeling of contentment that we shared our world with them.
ReplyDeleteThis is so heart-wrenching, Rosemary! We tend to associate memories with a certain place.. and when there becomes a void in our heart.. can no longer visit there without tearing up.
ReplyDeleteI have to go in and out my front door all the time, so I mostly don't let myself dwell on what was ... but sometimes....
DeleteSo very poignant. The comfort of that night and the pain of the loss are both vividly rendered.
ReplyDeleteThe loss is deeply felt. I can understand the not wanting to sit there again. Sometimes, memories flood back and emotional tide we are not ready to ride.
ReplyDeleteThe ending of your poem caught me off guard. I was expecting a reflection on the pleasures of domestic life. Instead, I was confronted with death. But such is life!
ReplyDeleteSuch a poignant write Rosemary and its ending made me ache with sadness.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Mary's comment is so wise. Your joy in the having of what is now lost is the wonder of memories, what we can still hold so close.
Anna :o]
The poem does the job because it made my eyes wet. A scene snipped as if a living photo.
ReplyDeletea poignant write. such a twist at the end!
ReplyDeletei post about a loss today too. sometimes our memories take a better grip over the common sense.
Sadness in the air, but also memory. Painfully beautiful how you crafted that.
ReplyDeleteYour memory is sharp detail, but we are told, nothing is ever lost. And those we love live in our hearts. I have not gone back to see my life as it was, but it resides in me all the same. Sometimes I can even laugh at it all. I think as we age, we look around, and see, they are gone, all gone from this present moment. But how good they made our lives by their presence.
ReplyDeleteIndeed yes.
DeleteThat final stanza completely transforms the whole poem.
ReplyDeleteStunning close. Beautifully crafted piece.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an endearing tribute, Rosemary. The last part of the poem made me realize again that life is temporary but we can make memories to live by.
ReplyDeleteOh my...as all should pass.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts/poem
ZQ
A touching write, Rosemary, and one with which I can definitely identify. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAh but insight and memories add a touch of back to the past that's wonderful for you I'm sure
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Sunday
much love...
Beautiful! You have sketched the moment, so tenderly. These bitter-sweet remembrances are only: thus, because we loved - so much - and they are gone from us now.
ReplyDeleteStill, a balanced and beautiful 4-some in memory. And one poem to preserve and to share the intimacy.
ReplyDeleteLife is so sad. When I read poems like this I know my turn will come one day.I always think how can they endure this pain....but somehow one does. Beautiful poem.
ReplyDelete