Gregory Richard Barden Poet Couplet

Notes About The Poem

** 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. **

The Crazy Cat Lady

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 January 25, 2018 at 1:10 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 January 27, 2018 at 4:48 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 January 21, 2018 at 11:08 PM A great poem, Greg. Congratulations. Gregory Richard Barden January 22, 2018 at 7:33 PM Thank you very much, Subimal! :-)

Melissa Tracy January 21, 2018 at 11:06 PM Beautifully closed is this heart warming write! Congrats on your win! Best wishes! Gregory Richard Barden January 22, 2018 at 7:33 PM Thank you so much, Melissa ... I'm so pleased you liked it! :-) <3

Line Gauthier January 21, 2018 at 7:59 PM I loved your theme of sacrifice and your last line. It was a 2+. Thanks, Gregory. Gregory Richard Barden January 22, 2018 at 7:34 PM I'm glad you enjoyed it, Line ... thank you very kindly, my friend! :-) <3

Andrea Dietrich January 21, 2018 at 6:31 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 January 22, 2018 at 7:35 PM That's very kind of you, Andrea, I'm really glad you enjoyed this one! Blessings, my good friend! :-) <3

Charlie Smith January 21, 2018 at 10:53 AM Brilliant Gregory, a most deserving winner... Gregory Richard Barden January 22, 2018 at 7:36 PM Thank you so kindly, Charlie ... I greatly appreciate your comments, friend! :-)

Richard Lamoureux January 21, 2018 at 9:14 AM This is beautiful and my favorite so far. Congrats on a well deserved placement. Gregory Richard Barden January 22, 2018 at 7:37 PM I really appreciate the comments, Richard and I'm pleased you enjoyed my poem! Blessings and thanks, my friend! :-)

Jan Allison January 21, 2018 at 5:29 AM Dropping back with my congrats:-) hugs Jan xx Gregory Richard Barden January 22, 2018 at 7:37 PM Thank you very much, Jan! :-) <3

Anisha Dutta January 20, 2018 at 11:58 PM Congrats Gregory on your win. Great poem. Best Wishes. Gregory Richard Barden January 22, 2018 at 7:38 PM That's so kind of you, Anisha - thanks so much! :-)

Agnes Krampe January 20, 2018 at 9:32 PM Congrats on your win, Gregory. Gregory Richard Barden January 22, 2018 at 7:38 PM Thank you, Agnes!

Sandra Haight January 20, 2018 at 8:22 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 January 22, 2018 at 7:42 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 January 20, 2018 at 5:38 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 January 22, 2018 at 7:43 PM That's very sweet of you, Sneha - thank you SO much, my friend! :-) <3

Kim Rodrigues January 16, 2018 at 8:16 PM A lovely write! Love the pic too, my friend! Gregory Richard Barden January 19, 2018 at 11:34 PM That's very sweet, Kim - thank you so much! I loved that pic when I saw it ... I thought, "Perfecto!" ;-) <3

Probir Gupta January 16, 2018 at 8:46 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 January 19, 2018 at 11:33 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 January 16, 2018 at 6:14 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 January 19, 2018 at 11:32 PM Indeed she was, Jan, thank you so much for the kind words! :-) <3

Silent One January 16, 2018 at 5:56 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 January 19, 2018 at 11:31 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.