Eulogy For a Kitten

An afternoon walk, soon after the storm, 
where skies had left a world forlorn
        An empty lot....I'd pass it by
               ...just an empty page, of puncture vines

        But, then I heard the faintest cry

No other fool, or soul around
It was so slight, the smallest sound...

Through weeds, I searched until I found
a kitten lost. upon the ground
His color washed, as if by rain
Friendless cold, and stiff with pain
How could nature go so wrong?

Overhead, a constant fray,
of squawking Jays...which had found their prey

It seemed they wished to wound the brown
ball of fur, so nearly drowned

I scooped him up, poor little waif
There'd been no place for his escape

I felt, tho' scant, the trace of heart
Putter faintly in my palm
Poor little thing...., with no resist
I sheltered him against my breast

Then...what should be warming calm
Turned strangely cold, and chilled my soul
The air was still
No wind, no rain,
The birds had left,....away with rain
And in my hand the silent depth...
no life in him,.....and mine was spent

How could a thing so small as this
hold death within a tiny grip?

And sudden grief upon me left
become immense.......as vast as this?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Freeman Avatar
January 23, 2010 at 1:55 PM
This so true and touching, Carrie. It is so truly an example of life of the part that, without a close relationship with God's love, will make one question why the suffering. The effect it had on you is a lesson you needed, I am sure, for it is you who held this little soul while it passed. Love Moses
Strand Avatar
January 19, 2010 at 9:24 AM
Thank you for your welcome blog comment today Carrie.Rgds Brian
George   Avatar
January 19, 2010 at 7:10 AM
Carrie, I know this grief all- too-well. It is profound, because it is impossible to comprehend how something so innocent and beautiful and free of sin can come to this end. It is simply heart-breaking. Love, Lainie
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
January 19, 2010 at 12:10 AM
Carrie, This is a nice eulogy for that little kitten. Blue jays can be so mean when they are protecting their young. Very nice poem. Sorry for your sadness. Lovingly, Dane Ann
Mason Avatar
January 18, 2010 at 3:27 PM
Powerful write, Carrie. I lost my Mister dog in May and was holding him as he was euthanized. The woman said, "He's gone." and I said, "No, he's not." She gave me a funny look but I felt his spirit linger and my heart lifted with a strange joy that passed and now, almost a year later, the grief settles like it didn't then. The last 5 lines here express it all ...
La France Avatar
January 18, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Let me brush a tear away... dear heart... such compassion for a poor little waif, speaks of a heart that is anything but little and your writing takes the reader with you on this sad walk.. well done...
Brown Avatar
January 18, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart with us today in your poetry Carrie. Wishing you a wonderful week full of inspiration. Love, Carol
Pickett Avatar
January 18, 2010 at 9:40 AM
Wonderful word-play all the way through this beautiful poem.....:JP]
Moreno Avatar
January 18, 2010 at 3:04 AM
A sad piece of work here Carrie, I loved so many lines but "Putter in my palm" was great...Raul
Dietrich Avatar
January 17, 2010 at 8:05 PM
Oh, my gosh, Carrie ann, I have a poem about this exact same TOPIC!!! I will have to post it when I have some time! I just love the way you went thru the little details of this story. Well done! (and thanks for your comments today) Luv, andrea
Bingham Avatar
January 17, 2010 at 7:58 PM
A sad, but very good write. You may have been the only love that little kitten ever knew. Good write. God Bless. Ron
Ryerson Avatar
January 17, 2010 at 6:24 PM
Oh me-oh-my, Carrie...This one sure got me misty-eyed...especially the line 'as if nature had gone wrong'...these 'animals' did not ask to be born but have as much right to be here on this earth as we 'humans' do - Tim
Foster Avatar
January 17, 2010 at 6:20 PM
Such a careless death. A life thrown away. I am not surprised that an immense grief was felt. well written...Margaret
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