Final Journey

With grace he jumps upon my lap,
deep humming in his throat.
He licks his soft, white mitten'd foot 
and grooms his midnight coat.

Then settles down and settles in, 
like many times before:
in all those springs and winters
since he came to my front door.

He’s never wrought an unclean act 
inside my house . . my home.
He's shed a bit, but never even
dragged a dead rat home.

He's lazed about inside and out, 
while others did not last.
His years pile up alongside mine, 
with nearly nineteen passed.

I sadden thinking of the friends 
that left me through those years.
His time as well, grows shorter now,
along with mine, I fear.

But he knows nothing of this truth, 
as he settles in my lap.
No dread upon his whiskered face, 
this loving, gentle cat.

And as he holds sly death at bay,
for as long as he can fend;
I hope and pray a peaceful trip,
escorts him to his end.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015



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Date: 4/9/2015 4:11:00 PM
I like the word play, the intertwining of you and the cat...
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Lefebvre Avatar
Diane Lefebvre
Date: 4/9/2015 6:23:00 PM
Thank you Mark, I find it easy to write about my pets. A labor of love one might say!
Date: 4/9/2015 1:56:00 PM
Oh Diane what charming write about a treasured pet - i hope he is with your for a while longer. our friends did not go on holiday for 2 years when their cat got to 17 - they were too worried to leave it being looked after by a neighbour - the cat died at 19 - what a remarkable age:-) Hugs Jan xx 7 xx
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Lefebvre Avatar
Diane Lefebvre
Date: 4/9/2015 2:39:00 PM
Hi Jan, Bear came to me at 10 weeks of age. He had been born and housed in a Collie dog kennel and loved dogs.(see Stealth Cat.) He has had a wonderful life. No regrets and the sadness will be tempered by that. Thanks for your comments.
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