Sally Eslinger Poet Free verse

Carroll Cat

I seem to have started a series of cat poems.  My dog series was so fulfilling.  The cats are both real and imagined, from my own owning, or friend’s.  Hope you enjoy!

Carroll Cat *********
(Dedicated to Joe & 
    Nancy Young
————————————-

Feeling within
A whistling flute
From nearby
    hilltops,
She responds to 
   her need for
Sought safe seclusion:
Harboring under
   the mattress slats, 
Similar
To her lost, old Papa’s
Bracing arms 
     that she
Long well knew:
Her shield against
The unknown — 
Then, that
Blasting thunderclap
Of change, after her
Elder keeper Papa
Died, leaving her
(at 12, old, too) drawn
Away from all she 
   knew, but as if by 
   the sounding of 
A song, pet fostering
Brought Carroll Cat
To this realm of all
New…
Unfamiliar hours,
Without the true, and
Cautious footfalls
 Carrying bowls 
      of white cream;
Without the known, 
   comfortable scents
   along floors or 
   fabrics…an alien,
Vast new space to
Learn her Noel!
Chancing wee-hour
Wanderings beyond 
New doorways,
Beyond the bed,
Beyond the fear, for
Some others, like Papa, 
    who may have
The soothing touch…
For moments.
Carroll Cat dares
Going forth.

———————————————
(c) sally young Eslinger. 9/2021
Thanks be to God

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Joseph P. DiMino September 12, 2021 at 1:30 PM This is a very sensitive, and heartfelt read. Spiritual in many ways. A 85 year old friend of mine and wife, was recently given a cat by her son. The cat is full grown, though young, and came from a household where there was a second cat, the two not getting along at all. After 6 days of hiding and not eating, today the kitty ventured out for a little food. We tell her, it will work out, but it is quite emotional. Love your very touching write. Thank you for sharing. Sally Eslinger September 12, 2021 at 9:45 PM Dear Joe, also my brother’s name & it’s his bed Carroll is under. Yr comment tells a sad story. I wrote a poem, not posted, about its not talked abt when we’re young but we reach an age when we’re too old to commit to a new pet. We have 2 aging dogs who MUST live as long as I do xoxoxo sally

Victor Buhagiar September 11, 2021 at 1:27 AM A mixture of sadness and imagination. Well done. Sally Eslinger September 12, 2021 at 9:37 PM Hi, Victor. This is a true account, feeling passion of extended sympathy for Carroll. My brother is fostering. So very glad you liked it. You are responsible, incidentally, for my wanting to expand away from such sort of didactic stuff. I thank u for inspiring! Xox