Notes About The Poem

Inspired by Lin Lane's poem
'Addressing The Soup: For Constance'

Deepest sympathies to anyone who

knows the loss of a 'mere' pet.

--------------------------------------------------

 

So This, My Cat

So this, my cat, my confidante, my friend
His bed, empty now, I cannot discard
A photograph now on the mantel’s end
Beside his toy and a sympathy card

How long the wait, in this vast empty space
Till small sounds spare me the notion he’s back
Yet still shall I ready this special place
For friend and casket and polished brass plaque

You say he’s only a cat and he's dead
Still I make space midst old friends on this shelf
What notions strange and cold dwell in your head
When you have no love but that for yourself

Make light of my grieving if that you must
My cat I loved: As for you… not too fussed!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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12
Treacher Avatar
April 8, 2026 at 11:34 PM
I found this very tender. All of our departed cats still have their photos up as they shared their nine lives, our home and special times in our one life.
Wolf Avatar
November 9, 2024 at 4:45 PM
I, for one, shall not make light of your grieving, Terry. After all, what happened can only be likened to a CATastrophe. ~ Whiskers Wolf
Parker Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 9:26 PM
Never make light of a love lost. We don't often choose who we love. It's love after all. RIP puss. :o))
Nicole Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 7:16 PM
Dear Terry, this is tender and emotional all at the same time. Constance is missing Snuggles. Animals are like family. While reading, I came upon this statement and it took me by surprise. ' he’s only a cat and he's dead. ' That's not a very nice thing to say. Sending love and light your way, Constance. Congratulations Terry, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy
Goldsmith Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 12:20 PM
Congratulations on your POTD win. What a wonderful yet sad write. Some pets are just pets then there are pets that are family. My pets were all family in a fur coat. Let them laugh. I will take a family pet over some people any day/I have. I will Soup mail you. Have a blessed day/weekend.............
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 3:09 PM
I’ll ditto that entire comment, Paula. Regarding ‘Rainbow Bridge’ as per your Soupmail, yes I am familiar with it. A wonderful write, which has an uncanny ability to suddenly appear on Facebook, or the like, at precisely the right moment. Thanks for your congrats. Terry
Edmonds  Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 12:14 PM
Back with my congratulations on you having received poem of the day Terry… Beryl
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 3:06 PM
And Thanks again, Beryl.
La France Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 12:13 PM
Terry, I am so happy your poem has the honor of POEM OF THE Day, it truly touched my heart, your words echo the grief I am feeling at the death of my Snuggles, no time will erase this pain, time will not take it away the emptiness, a FAV, Constance
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 12:25 PM
Sincerest sympathies for your loss of Snuggles, Constance. Though time does not necessarily ease the pain you feel, it does eventually bring you to a time where you will remember his living rather than his dying. We’ll never forget the day that we lost any of our pets, but when we think or speak of them, it is the time that we enjoyed with them that we recall. I am sure you will come to that point sooner than you may now think. How regrettable that you had to endure the crass, perhaps careless, remark that inspired my poem.
De Beaulieu Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 11:22 AM
Hello Terry Flood, i understand the love you have and still have for your cat. After all our furry babies are family. i would be upset if this happened top my Sparkles. I love her she is my fur baby. Even though she is 11 years old. My heart goes out to you in your time of loss. A hug for you. Hugs. /Darlene/
De Beaulieu Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 4:46 PM
Hello Terry Flood, Oh referred to Constance 's cat. She loved that cat. It was her fur baby. Thank yu Terry. Enjoy your evening my friend. /Darlene/
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 1:23 PM
Thank you, Darlene. Whilst I have lost my share of much loved pets, this poem related to some, shall we say ‘misguided’ remarks that referred to Constance’s recently departed cat, Snuggles. I’m sure all of us that have lost pets will appreciate your sentiments. Terry
De Beaulieu Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 11:23 AM
congrAtions on your POTD. Enjoy your special day my friend. /Darlene/
Andresen Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 11:19 AM
- A pet means a lot in one's life - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d., Terry :) - hugs
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 3:05 PM
Thanks, Anne-Lise, I guess the offending comment irked me as much as it did others. Had to have a dig but was rather surprised at POTD…. pleasantly, of course
Doll Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 7:58 AM
Terry, wonderful poem about your love and mourning for your companion cat. Congratulations on POTD~ Warren
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Thank you, Warren. Appreciated
May Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 6:37 AM
A heartfelt write Terry, Pets are part of the family, Congrats on POTD
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 2:59 PM
Thanks, Joseph. We’ve been without a pet for a while now. It’s surprising how much the thought of losing them affects the decision to get another.
Rodgers Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 4:23 AM
Dear Terry, I am back with a super big congratulations on POTD for a caring and outstanding poem. Enjoy every moment! Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 2:53 PM
Thank you, Daniel. Terry Flood gets POTD with a sonnet… who’d have thought it? ;-)
Allison Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 4:22 AM
Dropping back with many congrats on POTD, I see the sponsor has now removed the word 'dumb' but sadly it is all too late and so much hurt has been caused by its inclusion in the first place! hugs jan xx
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 2:52 PM
Thank you, Jan. I don’t know whether the remark was meant to be a tongue-in-cheek throw away line, but I’d sure like to think it was an ‘oops’ moment rather than a malicious one.
Kitchin Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 3:43 AM
Terry, a great poem, I hope some take notice of people's love for their pet cats and not leave insensitive comments. Congratulations on POTD.
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 2:47 PM
Thanks, Tania. I can comprehend that some people don’t understand the affection some of us have for our pets, but I can’t understand why they would feel it’s in order to throw scorn upon those feelings.
Kavanagh  Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 1:45 AM
Congratulations Terry on a purrfect POTD and riposte to the (dumb) comment made about Constance’s dead cat, we all love our pets and grieve when they pass, as you say they are our confidants and friends, also an extended part of our families, something a narcissist would never understand, cheers David
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 2:16 AM
Thanks, David. My poem ‘If’ was written with that contest in mind. Alas, at that time I’d merely skimmed through the criteria. Needless to say I joined the boycott.
Lane Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 12:55 AM
So this, Terry... speaks out against the rude comment that writing about a dead cat is dumb. No one should make light of grieving over losing a beloved pet. POTD: Pet Offering Of the Day.
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 2:13 AM
Ha ha… like it. Pet Offering of The Day really should be a category. Someone’s bound to set a contest. Thanks for your congrats (hm hmm… which appeared to slip your mind ;-) you are forgiven)
Tor Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 12:55 AM
Terry this is a wonderful Sonnet. Your message is a great one that resonates with anyone who loves their Kitty or pet. A definite favorite for me. A really Big Congratulations for supporting all animal lovers. Big Congratulations for receiving POTD.
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 2:09 AM
Thanks, Michael. I always feel a bit of a fraud with sonnets and the like… I check and double check that I’ve met the criteria and am not always convinced I’ve got it right. So I’m well pleased with this POTD. Terry
Jones Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 12:46 AM
Congratulations on your potd!
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 2:06 AM
Thanks, Karen. Seems to have hit the spot
M  Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 12:36 AM
Congratulations On POTD Terry! Debx
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 12:41 AM
Surprised, to say the least. But equally delighted. Thanks, Deb
Cunningham Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 12:32 AM
Back with congratulations to you Terry on your well deserved POTD honour. Tom
Flood Avatar
November 8, 2024 at 12:35 AM
Totally chuffed to grab a POTD with a sonnet. Thanks for your congrats, Tom.
Edmonds  Avatar
November 7, 2024 at 7:06 PM
Terry, anyone who has a heart that loves their pet knows how hard it is to lose them. This is a wonderful poem in respect to pet owners pained by that hurtful remark made by a contest sponsor… Beryl
M  Avatar
November 7, 2024 at 4:10 PM
Perfectly stated Terry….our pets are our immediate family and losing them brings major sorrow and grief as it is losing a family member…nothing less! It makes me real sad just writing this… thinking about my own loss! Debx
Flood Avatar
November 7, 2024 at 4:21 PM
Thanks, Deb. I don’t need to tell you that it never gets easier, but then each pet is an individual. Hope your sad feelings are lined with good memories. Terry
Cunningham Avatar
November 7, 2024 at 10:18 AM
Well said Terry, I still think of the pets I've lost. You never forget them. Tom
Flood Avatar
November 7, 2024 at 3:12 PM
You’re so right, Tom. We lost Tara (my avatar) ten years ago and I’m still not sure any other dog could replace her. We keep talking about another dog or cat, so never say never eh?
Bauer Avatar
November 7, 2024 at 8:40 AM
I don’t know the full background story of Constance’s poem, Terry, but you shouldn’t have to be a pet owner to understand how much an animal can be missed and mourned when he’s gone. Your poem says it very well…
Flood Avatar
November 7, 2024 at 11:03 AM
It’s a lightly veiled dig at a contest in which we were required to write ‘meaningful poetry’ and not ramble on about (among other things) “dumb dead cats”. Glad you got the point, Ilene.
Rodgers Avatar
November 7, 2024 at 5:48 AM
Ohh Terry, Thank you so much for your support of Constance. I loved your words and how our pets are our family and their loss is our grief. Well inked! Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel
Flood Avatar
November 7, 2024 at 3:23 PM
Thanks, Daniel. Some people love animals, particularly their pets… and some have a black hole for a heart (of course I jest… each to their own)
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