When you could have seen me read, you might have watched a whole cascade of emotions play across my face. You would have seen the tears return—first revealed in the slight tightening of my throat, the quiver around my eyes. Then the first glimmer of moisture, until: trick. trick. They began to fall, one after another, and then all at once, a steady stream like a little brook.
These poems are such a beautiful tribute. Yes, each one brought back memories—vivid, aching—of my own beloved cats. Both female.
Molly, my solace in early childhood, was gone one day when I returned from a three-day school trip to the former GDR—Wartburg, where Martin Luther once hid, and the cities of Erfurt and Eisenach. That trip had already been difficult, and to come home and find her gone… it shattered my heart for the first time.
And Becky—truly my beloved Becky—my small little sweetheart. She had been unwell, though she was also 17. She died quietly in her sleep, before we could take her to the vet again.
I feel so deeply with you, dearest Gloria. I hope you'll let little Q bring you some comfort, even though he's still learning—still a bit squeamish at times.
I cried while I wrote them, Jay. I probably have a hundred more that I’ve written/scrawled on everything imaginable. Thank you for sharing Molly and Becky with us.
I miss this little guy. And I miss Sir Pugs, Mocha Man, The Dudster… all of our beloveds that we had to at goodbye to. I am grateful to have been at your side for all of these losses because I doubt either of us could have done it alone. Beautiful words ♥️
Holy cow..... I have strung words together, sometimes even for money, but what you write all the time convinces me I have a better future as an aluminum siding salesman..... A wonderful tribute to a beloved friend, a member of the family and a fellow traveler through this thing we call life.....
Thank you. Sweetie Pie made my life a safe place and I know I gave him that security as well. Bruce, thank you for the kind words. You are being humble! You are a great writer and we all know it.
Just beautiful- thank you for these lovely poems. My first cat who arrived when I was five years old met my husband! Puff made it to 21 years, the first of a series of cat blessings that led to Tanya, our cat of today.
Telling the truth here- Puff, Spot, Dick and Jane were my primary reading matter back at age 5! It was a big deal for that kindergartener that my Puff was the same color as Dick and Jane’s in my reader 🐈
OH! I knew I recognized that name other than my favorite aunt having a fluffy cat she named Puff. I read every single one of those books about a hundred times! Treasured, beloved characters — so vivid even now. Thank you for reminding me of them.
So beautiful, Gloria. I resonate with eveey line given my own relationship with my black panther. So sweet, so sensitive, such a gift. Thank you for fresh sparks of awareness about our connections and relationships with our beloveds. 💜💜
We have 2 cats at home left 1n as a present when our daughter moved out of state in 2016. Cloud, last born and all white, is now, a large, part Siamese who says meow, mmm, and purrs loudly. Rippy, so named because she would rip around her apt, is a tabby who used to bully her sister but Cloud is now larger and repeats the favor. Rippy though, has a larger vocabulary which consists of ten different ways to rub a leg and ask "Won'you please feed this pretty kitty some more?"
Armand, they are meditations! They are mantras to unconditionally love the heart beating in tandem with my own.
When you could have seen me read, you might have watched a whole cascade of emotions play across my face. You would have seen the tears return—first revealed in the slight tightening of my throat, the quiver around my eyes. Then the first glimmer of moisture, until: trick. trick. They began to fall, one after another, and then all at once, a steady stream like a little brook.
These poems are such a beautiful tribute. Yes, each one brought back memories—vivid, aching—of my own beloved cats. Both female.
Molly, my solace in early childhood, was gone one day when I returned from a three-day school trip to the former GDR—Wartburg, where Martin Luther once hid, and the cities of Erfurt and Eisenach. That trip had already been difficult, and to come home and find her gone… it shattered my heart for the first time.
And Becky—truly my beloved Becky—my small little sweetheart. She had been unwell, though she was also 17. She died quietly in her sleep, before we could take her to the vet again.
I feel so deeply with you, dearest Gloria. I hope you'll let little Q bring you some comfort, even though he's still learning—still a bit squeamish at times.
Thank you Gloria
I cried while I wrote them, Jay. I probably have a hundred more that I’ve written/scrawled on everything imaginable. Thank you for sharing Molly and Becky with us.
Real love is precious
Real love is free
Love really does make the world go round.
I miss this little guy. And I miss Sir Pugs, Mocha Man, The Dudster… all of our beloveds that we had to at goodbye to. I am grateful to have been at your side for all of these losses because I doubt either of us could have done it alone. Beautiful words ♥️
Thank you, my darling. Yes, we have lost so many in so few years. I think the baby kitten was sent to us to remind us what good cats they were! LOL
This comment was just four days ago.. seems a lifetime ago now doesn’t it?
Holy cow..... I have strung words together, sometimes even for money, but what you write all the time convinces me I have a better future as an aluminum siding salesman..... A wonderful tribute to a beloved friend, a member of the family and a fellow traveler through this thing we call life.....
Thank you. Sweetie Pie made my life a safe place and I know I gave him that security as well. Bruce, thank you for the kind words. You are being humble! You are a great writer and we all know it.
🙏🏼
Thank you, Wendy.
Precious gifts
They are irreplaceable and so memorable. I hold each one in my heart.
Beautiful!
Breath takingly beautiful.
Thank you, Ann.
Just beautiful- thank you for these lovely poems. My first cat who arrived when I was five years old met my husband! Puff made it to 21 years, the first of a series of cat blessings that led to Tanya, our cat of today.
Puff is such a sweet, darling name for your loving sidekick of so many years. And, Tanya is so lyrical!
Telling the truth here- Puff, Spot, Dick and Jane were my primary reading matter back at age 5! It was a big deal for that kindergartener that my Puff was the same color as Dick and Jane’s in my reader 🐈
OH! I knew I recognized that name other than my favorite aunt having a fluffy cat she named Puff. I read every single one of those books about a hundred times! Treasured, beloved characters — so vivid even now. Thank you for reminding me of them.
Oh Gloria, how beautiful! How those words are known to the hearts of so many of us that share our lives with these sweet beings! Love it!
Thanks, Maggie. Cats rule in my opinion!
So beautiful, Gloria. I resonate with eveey line given my own relationship with my black panther. So sweet, so sensitive, such a gift. Thank you for fresh sparks of awareness about our connections and relationships with our beloveds. 💜💜
I love Black Panther! Such a memorable title for your beloved.
🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵
Thank you, Kathy.
What a beautiful tribute to Sweetie Pie. The picture of your dear heart is tender and his love will be with you always.
Thank you for sharing this sacred time with us. My heart goes out to both of you.
It is indeed a reminder to cherish our pet partners.
to tend to these loves and treasure their presence.
I rescued three no
They rescued me… all passed last year from illness after caring for me for 15 years. Yes I talked to them all the time.
Love the new kitten!
Thank you Gloria!!
The passing of a day, a life, each moment filled with love…these beautiful meditations invoked all the beloved feline souls who blessed my life♥️
Sharon, they are gifts. Each one treasured and never forgotten.
We have 2 cats at home left 1n as a present when our daughter moved out of state in 2016. Cloud, last born and all white, is now, a large, part Siamese who says meow, mmm, and purrs loudly. Rippy, so named because she would rip around her apt, is a tabby who used to bully her sister but Cloud is now larger and repeats the favor. Rippy though, has a larger vocabulary which consists of ten different ways to rub a leg and ask "Won'you please feed this pretty kitty some more?"
They are scoundrels! No doubt about it. Cloud and Rippy are two of the best names EVER.