Carolyn Devonshire | + Follow Poet |
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The Purest Love

At 22, her life still gave mine meaning
This feral kitten born inside a barn
In dark times, she was ever intervening
To bring smiles, she wrestled balls of yarn

When arthritis kept Katy from leaping
I picked her up and knew she’d soon meet fate
But still, she purred as I just sat by weeping
Till one morning, I opened the floodgate

I buried her beneath her favorite oak
A place where she’d spent many hours preening
And sure am I she never misses a stroke
From Angel Gabe whose arm she must be cleaning




*August 15, 2020
For Constance’s “All Pets Go to Heaven” contest

Copyright © Carolyn Devonshire | Year Posted 2020

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Jennifer Proxenos Date: 12/31/2020 11:27:00 AM How cute and how sad, animals can mean as much to us as humans do, I can feel your pain, I also lost a beautiful labrador at three years old who was my baby, I cried buckets of tears, but perhaps Katy is with Coco sitting with Angel Gabe. Love this poem, will fave it because it brings back memories of Coco and you penned it so well. I have a poem on soup about Coco also, 'Hello and Goodbye Coco' Happy New Year sweet lady, hugs and blessings - Jennifer. Login to Reply

John Castellenas Date: 9/15/2020 3:57:00 AM A wonderful poem. Our animals, kind to us and become part of the family. Dear Carolyn, thank you for sharing your amazing words and thoughts. Login to Reply

Constance La France Date: 8/31/2020 10:00:00 AM Carolyn, congratulations on your win in my All Pets Go To Heaven challenge with this emotional write, it truly touched my heart, a FAV for me _Constance Login to Reply Carolyn Devonshire Date: 8/31/2020 2:19:00 PM Thank you, Constance. Our pets mean so much to us!

Paul Callus Date: 8/27/2020 9:59:00 AM The older our pets live, the harder it is to deal with their passing away. I like how you treated this loss, and love the way you ended it. Hugs // paul Login to Reply

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 8/27/2020 8:31:00 AM My dear friend, you won, I am a proud friend and love your poetry which is one better than the next because your talent is unique. Blessings and hugs, Jenny. Login to Reply

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 8/25/2020 4:56:00 AM - You and your cat have had many years of joy ... a wonderful poem, Carolyn :) - Congratulations on your top win :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Login to Reply

Judy Ball Date: 8/25/2020 4:10:00 AM My heart goes out to you my friend. At this time when I still grieve the loss of my little Jewel and remember with a pain the loss of my Mishach, my grey Tabby that I truly feel your heart ache. A lovely tribute to your dear one. God Bless, JB Login to Reply

Tom Cunningham Date: 8/24/2020 1:15:00 PM So heartbreaking when they go Carolyn, they are part of the family, congrats on your win. Tom Login to Reply

Keith O.J. Hunt Date: 8/20/2020 10:37:00 PM Pure love...my best friend is 'oft my cat; sorry for your loss Carolyn my Lady. I'm a cat worshipper:) Login to Reply

Olu'Um Mm Date: 8/20/2020 4:27:00 PM Thank you for posting this. I lost my childhood cat in a terrible way. Reminds me of her. Login to Reply Carolyn Devonshire Date: 8/21/2020 10:57:00 AM I'm sorry to hear that. My sympathies...

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 8/20/2020 12:13:00 PM I have never read a sweeter poem Carolyn, I shed a couple of tears as it reminded me of my treasured brown Labrador that died at three years old from Leukemia, I have a poem 'Hello and Goodbye Coco' Blessings dear friend, Jennifer. Login to Reply Carolyn Devonshire Date: 8/21/2020 10:58:00 AM Animals add so much joy to our lives. I'm sorry for your loss, Jennifer.

Gordon Mcconnell Date: 8/16/2020 12:32:00 PM Such a touching piece Carolyn, cats are so attaching and we miss them when they go. Take care and keep safe, Blessings always,Gordon Login to Reply

Joanna Daniel Date: 8/16/2020 1:20:00 AM Yours is beautifully written, Carolyn:) Login to Reply Carolyn Devonshire Date: 8/16/2020 11:52:00 AM So is your entry! I just read about your dog Blackie. He sounds like a wonderful pet.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 8/15/2020 5:55:00 PM oh this is SO poignant, Carolyn. The ending I just love it!! wow, I had a cat that lived almost 23 or 24 years, so much like this one!! That was Priscilla who died at my home in Iowa when I was living in Utah. Only pet my mother ever allowed in our house. To this day my mom remains pet-less (I had brought Priscilla to the house and my mother grew to love her because she was such a "lady") a siamese. Login to Reply Carolyn Devonshire Date: 8/16/2020 11:47:00 AM We were both blessed to have pets that lived so long, Andrea. Sorry you lost Priscilla. Katy was like my "child."

Lindsay Laurie Date: 8/15/2020 4:30:00 PM G'day Carolyn ... lovely tribute Carolyn. We all wish our pets could live forever, however for 22 years you must have some fine lasting memories - Lindsay Login to Reply

Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 8/15/2020 3:13:00 PM Hello Carolyn Devonshire, I love this poem. This cat had a good life. She lived a long life. She will be forever in your memory. Enjoy your evening my friend. Login to Reply

Vijay Pandit Date: 8/15/2020 2:29:00 PM Your poem is so adorable my friend...just like her photo. You still have long lasting sweet memories --I feel your love for her in your verses. All the best, Carolyn. Login to Reply