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The Crazy Cat Lady

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** For my dear friend, Vi Pano, wherever you are - your lessons in sacrifice will stay with me always ... there is a very special place in Heaven for you. **

Twice-a-day, though sun or rain, in storm or wind or snow The crazy lady fed her strays, and watched them come-and-go She had a name for every one, and knew them by their face Though they sometimes had a spat, they treated her with grace They numbered over thirty, eating more than she could pay But with bottles and her overtime, she always found a way She oft-times skipped a meal herself, to make sure that they ate And sometimes lived in darkness, if she paid the light bill late Many nights she braved the chill if she couldn't pay for heat She rarely bought new clothing, or new boots to warm her feet And it never ruined Christmas when she didn't have a tree Cuz she bought an extra meal, instead, for her feline family She made art of cutting corners, though she rarely caught a break And countless were the comforts that she gave up for their sake But she never felt it sacrifice, or her own needs thus impeded She'd lost in love, but like us all, she still needed to be NEEDED So, if forfeiting for those we love is a nonsensical thing to do ... Perhaps we should ALL consider ... being a bit more crazy, too. * SECOND PLACE in the "Crazy Cat Lady" Poetry Contest, Line Gauthier, Sponsor. *

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Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 1/25/2018 1:10:00 AM

I love this poem so much Greg! I think it should tie for first place! I bet Andrea would agree because I know her so well. Hers was also excellent. This is excellent and so deserving of a top placement! Congratulations! : )

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/27/2018 4:48:00 PM

That's such a wonderfully heart-felt and kind comment, Connie, and I thank you SO much! I'm so pleased you enjoyed this, and it is a true story, of a wonderful woman I befriended in Boston many years ago. Blessings, Friend! :-) <3

Subimal Sinha-Roy

Date: 1/21/2018 11:08:00 PM

A great poem, Greg. Congratulations.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 7:33:00 PM

Thank you very much, Subimal! :-)

Melissa Tracy

Date: 1/21/2018 11:06:00 PM

Beautifully closed is this heart warming write! Congrats on your win! Best wishes!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 7:33:00 PM

Thank you so much, Melissa ... I'm so pleased you liked it! :-) <3

Line Gauthier

Date: 1/21/2018 7:59:00 PM

I loved your theme of sacrifice and your last line. It was a 2+. Thanks, Gregory.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 7:34:00 PM

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Line ... thank you very kindly, my friend! :-) <3

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/21/2018 6:31:00 PM

Your poem had the most perfect ending in saying we all need to be a bit more crazy. What a marvelous message in your poem, Greg. A very well deserved win and well crafted poem!! Congrats!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 7:35:00 PM

That's very kind of you, Andrea, I'm really glad you enjoyed this one! Blessings, my good friend! :-) <3

Charlie Smith

Date: 1/21/2018 10:53:00 AM

Brilliant Gregory, a most deserving winner...

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 7:36:00 PM

Thank you so kindly, Charlie ... I greatly appreciate your comments, friend! :-)

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 1/21/2018 9:14:00 AM

This is beautiful and my favorite so far. Congrats on a well deserved placement.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 7:37:00 PM

I really appreciate the comments, Richard and I'm pleased you enjoyed my poem! Blessings and thanks, my friend! :-)

Jan Allison

Date: 1/21/2018 5:29:00 AM

Dropping back with my congrats:-) hugs Jan xx

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 7:37:00 PM

Thank you very much, Jan! :-) <3

Anisha Dutta

Date: 1/20/2018 11:58:00 PM

Congrats Gregory on your win. Great poem. Best Wishes.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 7:38:00 PM

That's so kind of you, Anisha - thanks so much! :-)

Agnes Krampe

Date: 1/20/2018 9:32:00 PM

Congrats on your win, Gregory.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 7:38:00 PM

Thank you, Agnes!

Sandra Haight

Date: 1/20/2018 8:22:00 PM

Love this poem, Gregory! I adore cats, and this 'crazy cat lady' warms my heart with her love and sacrifices. Nicely written and very deserving of your podium win. Congrats! :) Sandra

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 7:42:00 PM

That's such a sweet comment, Sandra, and I so greatly appreciate it! This was a very dear friend of mine who I've lost touch with and can't find now. I was one who lived in the same building in Boston, (my apartment directly below hers), and she taught me much about sacrifice. A wonderful though very private woman who called me one of her very few friends ... she didn't trust many people, but I was one of the few, and it was a blessing. Best wishes and thanks again, friend! :-) <3

Sneha Rv

Date: 1/20/2018 5:38:00 AM

Oh what a beautiful story and tribute.. I love how you wrote this respecting these actions (rather than think of her as crazy) and you have the perfect ending! All the best in the contest :)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/22/2018 7:43:00 PM

That's very sweet of you, Sneha - thank you SO much, my friend! :-) <3

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 1/16/2018 8:16:00 PM

A lovely write! Love the pic too, my friend!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/19/2018 11:34:00 PM

That's very sweet, Kim - thank you so much! I loved that pic when I saw it ... I thought, "Perfecto!" ;-) <3

Probir Gupta

Date: 1/16/2018 8:46:00 AM

Nicely relatable poem beautifully written ... I know several such ladies with psychological compensation that I do want to write about ... but such beautifully I cannot write ...

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/19/2018 11:33:00 PM

That's very kind of you, my friend, and I so appreciate it! Blessings, Probir ... you write VERY beautifully, so please don't think otherwise! :-)

Jan Allison

Date: 1/16/2018 6:14:00 AM

what a lovely tribute Greg she sounds like a remarkable lady giving her all for her love of cats:-) hugs jan xx

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/19/2018 11:32:00 PM

Indeed she was, Jan, thank you so much for the kind words! :-) <3

Silent One

Date: 1/16/2018 5:56:00 AM

When we lose something, we look at different ways to gain something and I guess cats can do that... I have lots of bunnies, and they do help with stress etc... You wrote a wonderful poem, what great dedication this lady has for her cats..

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 1/19/2018 11:31:00 PM

That's very kind of you, S1, and you are so right. This was a dear friend of mine who lived upstairs from me in Boston, (while I was in college), and I don't know what became of her. She often compromised her comfort for the strays of the neighborhood, so many of us, (her neighbors), would chip in and help HER in return. Her sacrifice changed us all.