The Callie Candle Standard

(more about my cat Callie and her two "replacements")

Since Callie died, new felines
as precious as can be
now rule my house most freely
and sometimes hide from me.

And neither one of them,
while sitting on my bed 
would ever (like sweet Callie)
curl up purring by my head.

Nor would the pair of them
(unless I set a trap!)
come willingly and often
to sit upon my lap.

In seeking out affection,
the new cats dilly-dally,
for they could never hold
a candle to dear Callie!

Written Jan. 25, 2012

 for the I Love My Pets!Poetry Contest of Laura Loo
Now used for 
Eve Roper's  'my companion and close friend that never complains' Poetry Contest
This is an older poem but was written to show that no cat was a better companion than she ever was!! Even at age 18 and dying of cancer, she was so dear and uncomplaining.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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12
Craig Avatar
February 18, 2020 at 1:15 PM
Callie, sounds like a wonder pet to have had as friend. He must have really touched you in a special way so obvious in your will written poem.
Dietrich Avatar
February 18, 2020 at 6:02 PM
thanks, she was a sweet girl cat.
Goldsmith Avatar
February 18, 2020 at 12:36 PM
Congratulations on your win. When I was young, I had cats. They are great and each one is very different. Have a wonderful day........
Roper Avatar
February 18, 2020 at 8:30 AM
Thank you for entering my contest, Andrea , great flow and perfect poem. You had their distinctive qualities and how much you cared and what they do for you. I was also looking for description. Congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve
A   Avatar
January 31, 2016 at 11:07 PM
ANDREA, Congratulations on your sweet Pet win. XOX ~LINDA~
A. Sharma Avatar
January 27, 2016 at 11:38 PM
What a delightful write Andrea..Congrats on big win!!
A  Avatar
January 26, 2016 at 11:58 AM
ANDREA, CONGRATS ON YOUR LOVELY PET WIN. LOVE ** SKAT **
Lane Avatar
January 25, 2016 at 9:32 PM
Well done on your win, Andrea.. congratulations.
May Avatar
January 25, 2016 at 8:41 PM
Callie sounds great... Congrats on your win
Taylor Avatar
January 25, 2016 at 5:50 PM
Outstanding, Andrea! Enjoyed. Congrats.
Scars Avatar
January 25, 2016 at 3:53 PM
Oh Andrea, I am in love with Callie, and I never met her..This was so heartwarming and clever at the same time..Very well written so sweet Andrea...*smiles* -luloo
Cavanaugh Avatar
September 24, 2013 at 11:09 PM
How precious this poem is. There are certain cats that stand out above the rest. My dad had one such cat. Ollie. I loved that cat.
A   Avatar
November 22, 2012 at 5:19 PM
Andrea, congratulation with your featured poem of the week. God Bless, you and your family during the holidays,, always~ PD
Austin Avatar
November 21, 2012 at 12:46 PM
I have shed hot, hot tears for many a cat in the past. Pets are terribly special. Hope you get another like Callie. Congrats on the selection. Love, daver
Horsman Avatar
November 20, 2012 at 8:13 AM
Wow here's one i have not seen before...featured this week ,, this is a gem Andrea, just love this...
Sweetheart Avatar
July 20, 2011 at 9:24 AM
Congrats Andrea on 5th place in the contest with this sweet rendition of cat created to entertain us all.. pets are something wonderful to enjoy.. am having so much fun with Venus.. she is a delight like Callie ... luv..enjoy..feeling better?
Taylor Avatar
July 20, 2011 at 7:38 AM
Congrats on your win, Andrea. Excellent write. Nice going. Thanks for your comments on my recent postings. Take care and be well. luv Ralph
Brown Avatar
July 20, 2011 at 4:22 AM
Congratulations on your win in Brian Strand's "A First 50 Postings" contest Andrea. Love, Carol
Kendrick Avatar
July 20, 2011 at 4:21 AM
Congrats on your win..Sara
Sweetheart Avatar
January 6, 2010 at 8:11 AM
Lovely tribute to your deceased cat and such beautiful words and way of phrasing it.. my two "babies" drive me crazy but do listen but are soooooooo independent its as scary as I am with my independent streak... maybe I will compose something .. although I think I already have one about them posted already... have a cat-tabulous day... Linda-Marie..
K. Avatar
January 5, 2010 at 8:28 AM
You say it like it is in your poem, very nicely done! & this just made me smile, especially after you mentioned that "flame" thing--such a coincidence, huh? hopefully though that your two cats can even hold a "flicker" to Callie in time ;) though I suppose that Callie is enjoying her "top cat" status in your heart!
Culverhouse Avatar
January 4, 2010 at 4:25 PM
isn't that the way it is, there is always that special pet. I have a major lap baby now-a dashound. I have been in love with her.
Meade Stephenson Avatar
January 4, 2010 at 3:48 PM
Yes we all have that one special pet that no other can replace totally! A powerful write here Andrea! Thanks so much for sharing and for taking the time to read my writes. Many thanks too for your always kind comments and words of encouragement. Have a wonderful evening~Mary
Austin Avatar
January 3, 2010 at 9:23 AM
Oh, I feel for your loss! I had a little white kitty who slept right by my ear for seventeen years. When I had to have her put to sleep - cancer - I couldn't stop bawling. The vet let me stay in the examination room for the longest time. Whenever a vet is needed these days, my wife takes the sick one in. LOve, daver
Mccue Avatar
January 3, 2010 at 9:03 AM
dear new friend.. I am the "bad Poet" however, my friend Bob told me to take tht judgement off last night, and I did. I'll let others make up their own minds... Thank you new friend, I have to list what I want to write about Brig. cat. Also, I like your poem, but give the new guys a chance. When you have two cats, alot of times they bond more to eachother, which is a blessing. When they are in the house alone, they have company. My Duddy Fudder sits on my head..
Georges Avatar
January 3, 2010 at 1:54 AM
A lovely poem. From experience I know how seldom we can find "replacements" for our pets, but for me it was a pair of turtles, jack and jill xD. Thanks for the poem and the comments. I wouldn't worry so much about how you interpret my poetry, I completely understand your emphasis on personal interpretation. I find it enlightening when my readers come up with different interpretations on my poem despite my intent, it broadens my perspective. Thanks for that.
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