Premiere Contest WinnerA Special Love


No human heart had he, though his, was full of love;
   no human soul, but golden, soulful eyes, aligned
      with mine, revealed a fervent tenderness, above
that which a non-human could show- so truly kind.

A gentle one, he stole my heart and soul away.
   Each day, inside our home or yard, he'd follow me;
      when called, would run from anywhere, without delay,
and jump into my arms or lap so faithfully.

At night, in bed, he'd lay below to warm my feet
   and later, move up closer by my pillowed head. 
      Come morning, he would gently tap my face to greet;
I'd wake to golden eyes as purrs of love were shed.

For twenty years, my Charlie cat assuredly
   was family to me, entrenched within my heart;
      two-decades-long, we shared our days wholeheartedly.
The ache still lingers since that day death made us part.  

I hold those years I spent with Charlie cat so dear;
   no other pet has come into my life since then-
      for, after years of joy, the pain of death is clear.
I could not bear to feel that emptiness again.


April 8, 2018

~2nd Place
Contest: My Companion and Close Friend That Never Complains
Sponsor: Eve Roper
Judged: 02/18/2020

~1st Place~
Premiere Contest: Non-Romantic Love
Sponsor: Emile Pinet
Judged: 04/11/2018

Form: Iambic Hexameter, 12 Syllables, 6 Feet per line
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Gauthier Avatar
May 15, 2020 at 8:47 PM
Ah ~ sounds like this cat was pampered for twenty years. It's sad that there is one unlucky kitty out there who missed out on taking Charlie's place ~
Craig Avatar
February 18, 2020 at 11:47 AM
Sandra, your poem brought back special memoires of my cat who I had for seventeen wonderful years. Very touching poem. Congratulation on your win.
Roper Avatar
February 18, 2020 at 8:16 AM
Thank you for entering my contest, Sandra, great flow and perfect poem. You had their distinctive qualities and how much you cared and what they do for you. I was also looking for what they look like. Congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve
Dietrich Avatar
April 14, 2018 at 6:12 PM
OMG< we did the same kind of poem, Sandra. I am so glad you won first place with this and get to have one of Emile's fine poetry books. I did mine on a dog but I too had a cat for 20 years and she was SO precious like this one of yours. Only that one cat and my one dog have been superb pets for me. All the others since have been trouble!!! congrats, dear.
Haight Avatar
April 16, 2018 at 4:31 PM
Yes, Andrea, I did see that you wrote about your special dog. It is amazing how our sweet pets become so important to us. Thanks for your nice comments and congrats! Hugs, Sandra
Donnelly Avatar
April 14, 2018 at 9:35 AM
Sandra, you expressed so well the special, unconditional love we humans are blessed with from our pets no human could begin to equal. Then the fateful day comes when we must part with them after being given years of their love and devotion and the loss rips our heart out. Congrats for winning! :) ~ Artise
Haight Avatar
April 14, 2018 at 1:58 PM
Thank you for reading my poem, Artsie, and for your very supportive and positive comments. I am so pleased that you can identify with this kind of love too. Hugs, Sandra
Hamilton Avatar
April 13, 2018 at 10:15 AM
A wonderful winning poem Sandra, congrats on a deserving win, I'm not a cat lover but appreciate the sentiments you sent out with this emotive poem!
Haight Avatar
April 14, 2018 at 1:56 PM
Thank you so much, John, for your visit, supportive comments, and congrats! Much appreciated. Sandra
Gauthier Avatar
April 13, 2018 at 5:16 AM
A beautiful poem worthy of a gold medal win, Sandra. Well done.
Haight Avatar
April 14, 2018 at 1:56 PM
Thank you so much, Line. Hugs, Sandra
Gentile Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 7:52 AM
Such a beautiful poem, Sandra and your love and devotion, so well expressed. I truly know how you feel. A wonderful tribute, congrats on your win xxoo
Haight Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 4:13 PM
Thank you so much for your visit, Mike, and your very uplifting and supportive comments and congrats! Much appreciated! Sandra :)
Neumann Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 2:04 AM
Congratulations on your win. True love. Like our cat Nietzsche... Well penned, Kai
Haight Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 4:12 PM
Thank you, Kai! I am pleased that you enjoyed my poem and can identify with this kind of love! Sandra
Gentry Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 7:14 PM
Congratulations on your win with this beautiful tribute that touched me deeply. They are like our babies. We are blessed to have them.
Haight Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 4:11 PM
Thank you, Susan, for your lovely, supportive comments and congrats! Yes, they are a blessing for sure! Hugs, Sandra
Roper Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 7:09 PM
Congratulations on excellent win, Sandra, pets or our children very close to our hearts. Hugs Eve ~`*
Haight Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 4:10 PM
Thank you very much, Eve, for your lovely comments and congratulations! Hugs, Sandra
Warrior Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 7:05 PM
Congrats! my dear friend Sandra...a beautifully pawed cats tale...warranting a trophy win...stay in purring light...^WW^
Haight Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 4:09 PM
Thank you very much ^WW^ for your nice visit and very supportive comments! Much appreciated. Sandra
Cunningham Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 3:14 PM
Lovely verse Sandra, losing a family pet is quite heart-breaking. Congratulations. Tom.
Haight Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 4:06 PM
Thank you very much, Tom. I appreciate your visit and uplifting comment and congrats. Sandra
Marcum Wong Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 3:09 PM
I'm so happy to see your lovely poem in 1st Place Sandra. Congratulations on your trophy win! : )
Haight Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 4:05 PM
Thank you again, Connie! Hugs, Sandra
Allison Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 3:01 PM
many congrats on your top spot Sandra:-) hugs jan xx
Haight Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 4:05 PM
Thank you very much, Jan! Hugs, Sandra
Medders Tobechi Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 2:19 PM
They can really get in your heart. Wonderful write and a well deserved first place win. Congratulations.
Haight Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 4:05 PM
Thank you so much, Sian, for your nice comment and congrats. I am so pleased that you enjoyed my poem and can relate. Hugs, Sandra
Pinet Avatar
April 11, 2018 at 2:08 PM
Congratulations Sandra, your poem earned first place in my contest, it was a tough contest to judge, very well done my friend, Emile.
Haight Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 4:04 PM
Thank you very much, Emile! I feel honored! Sandra
Hoffman Avatar
April 9, 2018 at 8:50 PM
A very heartfelt nostalgic write about Charlie cat Sandra…Good luck in the contest!~Che :)
Haight Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 7:34 PM
Thank you so much, Cheryl, for your uplifting and supportive comments. Much appreciated. Hugs, Sandra
Marcum Wong Avatar
April 9, 2018 at 5:49 PM
A cat lovers poem to be sure. We lost our Tommy Cat going on two years ago. His little spirit still shows up from time to time. I loved your special tribute to your Charlie Cat. : )
Haight Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 7:33 PM
Yes, you know that pain too, Connie. Thank you so much for your lovely, supportive comments. Hugs, Sandra
Wigley Avatar
April 8, 2018 at 10:31 PM
Being a cat owner myself (oops, sorry, cats don't have owners, they have staff) I can relate to every word and thought, Sandra. I dread the day I lose my Celeste, she is my confidante, bed warmer, listener, comforter and occasional pain in the arse. Lovely write. Viv x
Haight Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 7:31 PM
Thank you, Viv. I am pleased that you can relate and hope you have many years left to spend with your Celeste. Thanks so much for the visit and supportive comments. Sandra x
Allison Avatar
April 8, 2018 at 8:57 AM
aww sandra such a beautiful tribute to a treasured pet, their unconditional love is so wonderful and they are often more loyal than many humans! Good luck in the contest:-) hugs jan xx
Haight Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Thank you, Jan...yes, 'unconditional love'...animals seem to know what that's all about! I appreciate your uplifting comments. Hugs, Sandra
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