A Thawing of Hearts - For Contest

I sat quietly and waited, making the noises he had come to know, calling him in his newly given name.  His face would appear, cautiously calculating my intent, he would approach.  The promise of food and gentle touch too much to deny.  And so we did the “Little Prince’s” taming dance, each aware of the other and the possibility of betrayal.

cold eyes, empty heart frost forming on life’s edges winter’s numbing kiss
Our meetings continued, less cautious greetings, more welcome contact, minimal conversation. His coat was becoming more ragged in spite of attempts to keep it up, his gait slowing as our good-byes became short walks together. He could not leave his place, his home, even though it had left him – alone, to fend for himself.
hoarfrost in retreat sunrise gently awakens friendships warming blood
He withdrew – I would wait, quietly, whisper the name he had come to know, make the sounds that signaled “all clear”. I searched for him, stood silent and listened for his weakening call, shed tears in the cold rain of November. His last call, a feeble attempt at good-bye, led me to him. Alone, cold, hungry, he lay there, rolled his eyes as I cradled his cold and fading spirit. He shivered – and left.
winter’s cold cradle ice encasing a friendship a thawing of hearts
10/20/2015 submitted to – Creative Haibuns – Poetry Contest sponsor – Charlotte Jade Puddifoot
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

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Godwin Avatar
December 1, 2015 at 8:56 PM
OK - I've read every comment and seem to be the only one who HAS to know what kind of animal was in your write! Did everyone else figure it out? I'm thinking wolf, but I NEED to know! Your writing is compelling and impressive, you are indeed a talent. Congratulations and please tell me! CayCay
Lawless Avatar
December 1, 2015 at 9:21 PM
CayCay, nothing so dramatic as a wolf. It was a cat that was abandoned by its "family" when they moved and left it behind. People told me to stay away from it because it was vicious. However, I employed the Little Prince's lesson on "how to tame a fox" and it worked.
Beam Avatar
December 1, 2015 at 4:33 PM
Congrats, John. Indeed creative.
Lawless Avatar
December 1, 2015 at 9:18 PM
Thanks John
Fogel Avatar
November 29, 2015 at 11:05 PM
Good job! Congrats! That was amazing!
Lawless Avatar
December 1, 2015 at 9:17 PM
Thanks for reading and commenting Jacob
Haight Avatar
November 29, 2015 at 8:47 AM
Congratulations on your well-deserved First Place win, John. Heartfelt and beautifully written. Sandra
Lawless Avatar
December 1, 2015 at 9:17 PM
Thanks Sandra
Richards Avatar
November 28, 2015 at 7:43 PM
Wow, no wonder this was a Number 1 !! Well done, John..... This tears at the heart ..with tenderness. :)
Lawless Avatar
December 1, 2015 at 9:17 PM
Thanks Carrie, I still walk past our "rendezvous" spot and reflect on our time...
A  Avatar
November 28, 2015 at 3:12 PM
:) A nice and creative win. Love SKAT
Lawless Avatar
December 1, 2015 at 9:15 PM
thanks SKAT
Thirtyseven Avatar
November 28, 2015 at 6:53 AM
I'm tweeting links to the winners of this great contest.
Thirtyseven Avatar
December 2, 2015 at 5:14 PM
Twitter is a bit like face book, but far more targeted towards promoting (in my case poetry). Some people's tweets might be like sending out a flock of carrier pigeons, my tweets are more like strapping a note to a rock.
Lawless Avatar
December 1, 2015 at 9:15 PM
Thanks Scott...I'm not sure what that means...does it involve carrier pigeons?
Marcum Wong Avatar
November 27, 2015 at 12:45 PM
Oh John, your haiku in this poem are so powerful and they intergrate so beautifully with your story causing heartfelt emotions to rise. Excellent! Congratulations my friend! #7
Lawless Avatar
November 27, 2015 at 7:28 PM
Thank you Connie for the kind words and high mark. It was not an easy write......but so few really are.....
Cwiak Avatar
November 27, 2015 at 9:33 AM
This is just one terrific poem, John. Congrats and continued wins!
Lawless Avatar
November 27, 2015 at 7:28 PM
Thanks Dan, appreciate your taking the time to read and comment
Thirtyseven Avatar
November 27, 2015 at 6:48 AM
A well deserved win. You have crafted a tender, engaging, heart string tugging, poem. Good onya mate.
Lawless Avatar
November 27, 2015 at 7:27 PM
Thanks Scott, I appreciate the high praise..
Guillermo - Fraser Avatar
November 27, 2015 at 2:53 AM
John, this really an excellent haibun... sad and really heavy one but well-deserve win! congrats!!~Olive Eloisa =`)
Lawless Avatar
November 27, 2015 at 7:27 PM
Olive, I still walk those same streets and slow at the spots where we would meet.
Scars Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 11:39 PM
Congrats on your win John! Well deserved-Laura
Lawless Avatar
November 27, 2015 at 7:26 PM
Thanks You Laura...
A. Sharma Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 9:29 PM
Exquisite write John.. Congrats on much deserved first place win!!
Lawless Avatar
November 27, 2015 at 7:25 PM
Thanks Dr. Sharma I appreciate your reading and comment on my work
Ober Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 3:06 PM
John, I am blown away by this one... You are a very talented prose writer. You definitely pulled at my heartstrings with this one. Congrats!!
Lawless Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 9:01 PM
Thank you for your kind words Heather
Inman Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 12:15 PM
Beautifully written prose, John. Wonderful content and great supportive Haiku.
Lawless Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 9:01 PM
Thank You James for stopping to read and comment
Cheema Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 10:31 AM
Congrats John for this emotional haibun!
Lawless Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 8:58 PM
Thanks Balveen for stopping by to read and comment
Stoner Jr Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 10:04 AM
Congratulations John on this so well written and most deserved top tier win.
Lawless Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 8:58 PM
Thanks Robert, always nice to hear from you.
Mohn Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 8:59 AM
Tremendous John...big congrats on this well written heart twister
Lawless Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 8:57 PM
Thank You David.
Allison Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 6:40 AM
you tugged at the heartstrings with this write - many congrats John:-) hugs jan xx7
Lawless Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 8:57 PM
Thanks Jan for stopping by to comment and for the high marks.
Puddifoot Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 6:29 AM
this was so poignant and elegantly written; you didn't over-write it, which people tend to do sometimes with this sort of subject matter, and the haiku complement the prose beautifully - congrats on your 1st place win in my contest!
Lawless Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 8:56 PM
Thanks Charlotte for the high placement in the contest. I appreciate the time and effort it takes to administer a contest of this nature.
Leiser Avatar
October 22, 2015 at 2:09 PM
What a magnificent, heart wrenching haibun, John! As an enthusiastic animal lover, this piece tugged at my maternal emotions, as I felt grieved at the loss of this dear animal friend. A fave and a 7. Should dominate the contest (I hope it does!)
Lawless Avatar
October 24, 2015 at 9:07 AM
Thanks Laura. It seemed he had more loyalty to the home that left him than they had to him. Appreciate the "fav" and the seven and your taking the time to read and comment.
Smith Avatar
October 20, 2015 at 4:13 PM
I saw this as an example of the form in research for the contest.... This blew me away and touched my heart.. I will not be attempting it, but hope to see this high on the winners list.. A 7 from me dear friend.. Faving this one!...
Lawless Avatar
October 24, 2015 at 9:06 AM
Thank You for the high marks and the "fav" Arlene. Thanks for stopping by to comment
Lane Avatar
October 20, 2015 at 3:29 PM
Tears are falling...mine. This pulled at my heart, John. Your wrote this with so much emotion...thank you for sharing. ~ Lin ~
Lawless Avatar
October 24, 2015 at 9:02 AM
Lin, I still walk past the spot where we would meet each evening and stop....and fight the tears
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