The Un-Named Stray

I am not a cat person - they just don’t fit my style,
But when that stray walked in my door – she decided to stay a while.
My door is always open, as I work in my shed in back,
She comes and she goes on her own whims – she is her very own cat.

I didn’t bother to name her – but I did put out some food
And refreshed her bowl of water – it’s the least that I could do.
She would sit and watch me working – cutting my carpenter’s wood
And chase the mice out of my shed – I’m kind of glad that she could.

I started talking to her – as I usually worked alone
And she seemed awful comfortable – making my house her home.
Seldom did I pet her - she stayed out of arms reach
But would rub up against my legs, down by my feet.

For years we tolerated each other – never getting too close;
Staying out of each other’s way – respectfully, I suppose.
I didn’t realize how attached I’d become – until that awful day,
When I cried all day and all night upon the death of that un-named stray.

Joe Flach
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Brown Avatar
September 7, 2010 at 4:15 AM
Congratulations Joe on your win in Constance~A Rambling Poet's~ contest "Cat Poems~~". Love, Carol
Marcum Wong Avatar
September 6, 2010 at 3:03 PM
Joe, your beautiful poem made me sob when I got to the ending. That is what great poetry does! It draws great emotion out of you and you my friend have that talent! A really outstanding piece of work here and I am so happy to see it recognized in the number two spot. Congratulations. It is going into my fav's. Blessings, Connie
Freeman Avatar
September 3, 2010 at 5:40 PM
Congratulations! Joe and a nice job, a worthy presentation, Agape, Moses
Dietrich Avatar
September 3, 2010 at 9:39 AM
Joe, this is sad, but I am glad you realized that a cat can be a very nice little animal to have around becuase some are like your stray and do not bother people at all. Too bad you never named her!!! congratulations on a well deserved win. LUv, Andrea
Neels Avatar
September 3, 2010 at 3:26 AM
Beautiful write Joe, congratulations on you win as well ~ Wilma
M Avatar
September 2, 2010 at 9:53 PM
This poem endears you to me. Interesting how she just sort-of walked into your life and the two of you appreciated each other at a "close distance". Funny how your adoration for the cat snuck up on you similarly to how she tip toed into your life. I really enjoyed reading this poem. It left a smile in my heart.
Roberts Avatar
September 2, 2010 at 6:26 PM
wonderful poem, congrats on your win
Sweetheart Avatar
September 2, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Congrats Joe on your ppuurrrfect win in the CAT contest... enjoyed the neat write .. now enjoy your awesome win..with luv..
Johnson Avatar
September 2, 2010 at 5:54 PM
They can work their win into the hardest of hearts. She had her job to do and she did it. Congratulations on your win Joe. Love, Joyce
Devonshire Avatar
September 2, 2010 at 5:24 PM
Congratulations, Joe! I knew this would be a winner. Love, Carolyn
La France Avatar
September 2, 2010 at 5:19 PM
Congratulations on second place in my contest, Cat Poems~~ for a guy who said he did not have a cat poem in him, you sure wrote me a beauty, it brought tears to my eyes.. just so heartwrenching.. for some reason all the odds were against me in this contest from the beginning, but when I see such beautiful poems, it was worth it~~ Dear Heart
Devonshire Avatar
August 31, 2010 at 5:23 PM
It's easy to get attached to animals, Joe. At one time I had three cats and when the last one died at over 20 years old, I cried for days. Careful now, you're showing your sensitive side! LOL Best wishes in Constance's contest and thank you for giving her the last entry. She's been wanting to judge it for some time. Love, Carolyn
Culverhouse Avatar
August 31, 2010 at 4:23 PM
so sorry for your kitty...she sounds like my kind of cat.
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