Line Gauthier Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

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Mooney Christmas

it was a mid december night
in the wee hours of dark
the house was dead quiet

with the flick of a switch
the christmas tree shone bright
in all its splendor

that’s when Mooney
paraded with her awkward gait
showing signs of a long life

graceful days long behind her
hurting from something
maybe nothing more than age

i couldn’t sleep
so i sat up by the tree
and called the cat to my lap

she came in total surrender
this would surely be
her very last christmas

we sat there she and i
peacefully sympatico
both knowing the end was near

precious moments such as these
may be few and far between
the late night snowfall
made the scene surreal
this is what heaven must be like
when souls meld without a word



Published in third PoetrySoup anthology 2025

Published in my 24-page photo/anthology book ~THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS~ 2023

Read on air by invitation  ~  December 8, 2021  'POETRY SOUP ZOOM EDITION'

AP: 1st place 2025, 1st place 2025, 1st place 2022, 2nd place 2025, 2nd place  2022, 2nd place 2021, 2nd place 2021, 2nd place 2020, 2nd place 2020, Honorable Mention 2026, Honorable Mention 2025, Honorable Mention 2022, Honorable Mention 2021, Honorable Mention 2021

Submitted on March 13, 2023  for contest BELOVED PETS sponsored by BJ LEGROS - RANKED 1ST

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Sam Kauffman March 27, 2023 at 11:28 AM Line, there is a melancholy sweetness to your poem. So touching. When we were losing our third Wheaten, Ted, we had one last afternoon with him on a warm August afternoon. He laid on a blanket in the backyard and we just sat with him taking in the joy of his presence and his life. The next morning he was gone but we have this profound memory. It is bittersweet but still a treasure. Just an FYI - three weeks later Paddy bounced into our lives! Blessings Line. Congratulations! Line Gauthier March 30, 2023 at 11:53 AM Bittersweet indeed and so true that we never know what's around the corner. Thanks, Sam ~

Paula Goldsmith March 27, 2023 at 9:09 AM Congratulations on your New win. A lovely/wonderful~write/story. So sad. It is so hard when they leave us. Do you know about the Rainbow Bridge for animals. Have a blessed day/week writing away.................... Line Gauthier March 30, 2023 at 11:54 AM Thank you very much Paula ~ have a lovely day

Bj Legros Kelley March 27, 2023 at 12:19 AM Thank you for entering this poetry contest Line, and congratulations on your 1st place win! :) Line Gauthier March 30, 2023 at 11:54 AM Thank you so much BJ ~ most unexpected !

W.A. Cholt January 11, 2019 at 4:12 PM Lovely poem with a heartfelt connection. Last line is so powerful and descriptive of the bond that often exists between a person and their beloved pet. Line Gauthier January 11, 2019 at 5:18 PM Thanks for your much appreciated visit and comment, WA.

Carolyn Devonshire January 11, 2019 at 2:08 PM How sad it is to know it's the last Christmas you will spend with a precious pet like Mooney, Line. My heart goes out to you. Beautifully penned! Hugs, Carolyn Line Gauthier January 11, 2019 at 3:45 PM Thank you so much, Carolyn. What made it even more special was that it was my sister's old cat that \i had grown so fond of. We were spending the Christmas holidays at her place while we were undergoing renos.

M. L. Kiser January 11, 2019 at 1:52 PM Sad and beautiful at the same time. We are fortunate to have such souls in our lives, even for a short time. Line Gauthier January 11, 2019 at 3:45 PM Absolutely, ML. Thanks for your most appreciated visit and comment.

Warren Doll January 11, 2019 at 9:58 AM Our fur babies . Never wanting them to leave us , but knowing we will probably outlive them. I think they know this and shower us with their affection while they can. This is so well written, Line.~ Warmest Wishes~ Warren Line Gauthier January 11, 2019 at 10:14 AM Thank you so much for your lovely visit and comment, Warren. I love your term FUR BABIES and will have to write a poem with that title someday... sooner rather than later if you create a contest. Hint Hint! LOL

Caren Krutsinger January 11, 2019 at 2:50 AM A heavenly poem = the simpatico, Christmas, and a cat who loves you. All wonderful pieces apart, put together by Line, a masterpiece of course. Line Gauthier January 11, 2019 at 10:19 AM Thank you so much, Caren, for your lovely visit and comment.

Mahtab Bangalee January 10, 2019 at 11:58 PM Christmas comes preciously and takes away preciously !// Line Gauthier January 11, 2019 at 1:19 AM So true. All that is left is the sweetness of our memory.