A Special Love Premiere Contest Winner


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


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Date: 5/15/2020 8:47:00 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 ~
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Date: 2/18/2020 11:47:00 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.
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Date: 2/18/2020 8:16:00 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
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Date: 4/14/2018 6:12:00 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.
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/16/2018 4:31:00 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
Date: 4/14/2018 9:35:00 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
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/14/2018 1:58:00 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
Date: 4/13/2018 10:15:00 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!
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/14/2018 1:56:00 PM
Thank you so much, John, for your visit, supportive comments, and congrats! Much appreciated. Sandra
Date: 4/13/2018 5:16:00 AM
A beautiful poem worthy of a gold medal win, Sandra. Well done.
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/14/2018 1:56:00 PM
Thank you so much, Line. Hugs, Sandra
Date: 4/12/2018 7:52:00 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
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/12/2018 4:13:00 PM
Thank you so much for your visit, Mike, and your very uplifting and supportive comments and congrats! Much appreciated! Sandra :)
Date: 4/12/2018 2:04:00 AM
Congratulations on your win. True love. Like our cat Nietzsche... Well penned, Kai
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/12/2018 4:12:00 PM
Thank you, Kai! I am pleased that you enjoyed my poem and can identify with this kind of love! Sandra
Date: 4/11/2018 7:14:00 PM
Congratulations on your win with this beautiful tribute that touched me deeply. They are like our babies. We are blessed to have them.
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/12/2018 4:11:00 PM
Thank you, Susan, for your lovely, supportive comments and congrats! Yes, they are a blessing for sure! Hugs, Sandra
Date: 4/11/2018 7:09:00 PM
Congratulations on excellent win, Sandra, pets or our children very close to our hearts. Hugs Eve ~`*
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/12/2018 4:10:00 PM
Thank you very much, Eve, for your lovely comments and congratulations! Hugs, Sandra
Date: 4/11/2018 7:05:00 PM
Congrats! my dear friend Sandra...a beautifully pawed cats tale...warranting a trophy win...stay in purring light...^WW^
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/12/2018 4:09:00 PM
Thank you very much ^WW^ for your nice visit and very supportive comments! Much appreciated. Sandra
Date: 4/11/2018 3:14:00 PM
Lovely verse Sandra, losing a family pet is quite heart-breaking. Congratulations. Tom.
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/12/2018 4:06:00 PM
Thank you very much, Tom. I appreciate your visit and uplifting comment and congrats. Sandra
Date: 4/11/2018 3:09:00 PM
I'm so happy to see your lovely poem in 1st Place Sandra. Congratulations on your trophy win! : )
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/12/2018 4:05:00 PM
Thank you again, Connie! Hugs, Sandra
Date: 4/11/2018 3:01:00 PM
many congrats on your top spot Sandra:-) hugs jan xx
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/12/2018 4:05:00 PM
Thank you very much, Jan! Hugs, Sandra
Date: 4/11/2018 2:19:00 PM
They can really get in your heart. Wonderful write and a well deserved first place win. Congratulations.
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/12/2018 4:05:00 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
Date: 4/11/2018 2:08:00 PM
Congratulations Sandra, your poem earned first place in my contest, it was a tough contest to judge, very well done my friend, Emile.
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/12/2018 4:04:00 PM
Thank you very much, Emile! I feel honored! Sandra
Date: 4/9/2018 8:50:00 PM
A very heartfelt nostalgic write about Charlie cat Sandra…Good luck in the contest!~Che :)
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/10/2018 7:34:00 PM
Thank you so much, Cheryl, for your uplifting and supportive comments. Much appreciated. Hugs, Sandra
Date: 4/9/2018 5:49:00 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. : )
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/10/2018 7:33:00 PM
Yes, you know that pain too, Connie. Thank you so much for your lovely, supportive comments. Hugs, Sandra
Date: 4/8/2018 10:31:00 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
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/10/2018 7:31:00 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
Date: 4/8/2018 8:57:00 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
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Sandra Haight
Date: 4/10/2018 7:30:00 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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