SOME THINGS STAY

My youngest cat 

is learning

that some things go away

and they don't come back.

Like our dear family dog

our superstar,

the family clown,

rallier of lonely hearts

standing proud and strong

he made a wonderful

cat refuge, too.

She curls in my lap,

my bed,

calls from the floor

as if all the loss of late

has made her clingy.

She tries to hold 

onto me,

climb into me

so that I will not

vanish, too.    

"I know, I know,"  I purr.

I learned long ago

Somethings go away

but then,

some things stay.

Author's Note

I just lost my precious companion, my dog of 12 1/2 years last week. He was like my guardian angel and very closed mouth confidant. This is a simple thought that I just felt the need to express. I have not had the heart to write up the more extensive things I wrote during his last hours. Please let me know what you think. I know it is not a major work, but I hope it has merit.

Reviews

[Kelly Scheppers]

I lost my tabby, Elliott, last month, who would have been 18 this May. I held him upon my lap, as the vet proceeded to put him to sleep.

The emotion you've shown within the brevity of these lines is staggering, for it sheds light into our pets grief for one another, as well as our own for them.

Dear Claire, be very proud of this, for it is something beautiful that will always "stay"...always!

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

What a lovely review! It means so much when we write something that is painful and it communicates to another person. I appreciate your time taken to read it and your thoughts.
I am so sorry to hear about your cat's passing. They become a part of us...so painful to lose them.

[Renée]

Aww It is a lovely write..I like the way your & your cat take comfort with each other..you teaching her the lessons of grief...It's so hard..I'm so sorry..

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

Thank you so much. I am still getting over it...maybe I always will be.

[Renée]

Oh I understand..when my dog ( 3years ago) died I put a photo and her favorite toy in the space she would lay...just this year I was able to remove it...

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

He's all over my desktop! Thanks :)

[Persephone]

I love your poem :) Simple and true, another great work

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

Thank you. ;)

[Mary]

writing about the loss of your precious companion from the perspective of his other furry companion - a very healing thing to do. And my cat lost her surrogate mother (old age) and really did react the same way. I am sorry for your loss, CAF.

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

Thank you so much for your time and for leaving me these words. I still miss him.

[Autumn]

It's from the saddest emotions, and moments that we manage to write to most beautiful and deepest poems and stories. I think it's a way to thanks them from being throughout our lives, and your companion would be proud of this poem. It is a very beautiful and emotive poem, you are very talented.

[Sunset Girl]

Any piece written about true great loss speaks deeper and should be considered with great respect. I lost my cat, my baby, of 19 years a few months ago, I wish I had written about her, but I hate even thinking of that day.
What I like about this piece is how you name the things that seem to make you smile when you think about him and how it effected the cat.
Very nice share and sorry for your loss.

[JohnnyMagrinho]

Wonderful. It's not just human companionship that can belie our strength and logic. Even a pet can render us crippled with having to come to terms with loss. Better it be expressed in a poem than through hate or an addiction. I think that's at least half the coping mechanism poets use, even if some of them do end up with their head in the oven.

[Monica]

I am so very sorry for your loss, I do understand how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. You expressed your thoughts beautifully and paid great honor to you friend. The first stanza is wonderful in allowing us, as readers, to see him. Thank you for sharing this, keep writing and be strong :)

[Marie]

What a terrible loss for you. You've dealt with it well. Somethings do stay.

[Emily B]

so sorry for your loss, this is a wonderful poem

[Distant horizons]

A beautiful tribute to your friend and companion. And beautiful, emotion filled words.