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. 
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42 comments:

  1. Brian Miller30 January 2015 at 22:42

    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

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  2. Sabio Lantz30 January 2015 at 23:28

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

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  3. Anonymous31 January 2015 at 00:02

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

    Enjoyed reading this, Rosemary,

    Tony

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  4. Anonymous31 January 2015 at 00:20

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

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  5. Anonymous31 January 2015 at 00:26

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

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  6. Mary31 January 2015 at 01:08

    Yes...it happens to us all.

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade31 January 2015 at 09:21

      As I like to remind myself — the alternative's worse!

      Delete
  7. Misky31 January 2015 at 01:39

    Truly, our pets are treasures.

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  8. Susan31 January 2015 at 01:50

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

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade31 January 2015 at 09:14

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

      Delete
  9. Unknown31 January 2015 at 02:21

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

    ReplyDelete
  10. brudberg31 January 2015 at 02:34

    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.

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade31 January 2015 at 09:17

      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. Debi Swim31 January 2015 at 02:43

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

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade31 January 2015 at 09:11

      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. Margaret31 January 2015 at 03:33

    Sweet

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  13. Gabriella31 January 2015 at 04:19

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

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade31 January 2015 at 09:06

      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
  14. Sherry Blue Sky31 January 2015 at 04:45

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

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  15. Unknown31 January 2015 at 06:02

    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.

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade31 January 2015 at 09:08

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

      Delete
  16. Anonymous31 January 2015 at 09:40

    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

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade3 February 2015 at 12:26

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

      Delete
  17. Grandmother Mary31 January 2015 at 10:28

    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.

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  18. kaykuala31 January 2015 at 12:03

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

    Hank

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade3 February 2015 at 12:27

      Believe me, he does his best to talk back at times!

      Delete
  19. Anonymous31 January 2015 at 15:27

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

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  20. Unknown31 January 2015 at 17:24

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

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  21. Claudia31 January 2015 at 23:43

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

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  22. hyperCRYPTICal3 February 2015 at 08:55

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

    ReplyDelete

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