Tommy My Favorite Green Eyed Pet

Not easy to do as I have had twenty-five pets
I wish I was exaggerating but I am not.
The sweetest cat ever was Tommy Van Lets.
He was an escape artist, rarely ever caught.

He would be gone for days, coming home in the rain.
Discovered how to make a mama cry that woke me up.
He was my gentle green eyed guy, nuzzled like a train.
Loved him every second until I could not any more.

High school lad I was tutoring ran over Tommy one night.
Thinking it was hilarious, showing off, which brought me to tears.
Sadly, it was his grand way of pushing me away.
Helping him too much, and he, immature, for his years.

That sweet kitty baby used to sit in this lad’s lap.
Cuddling while I explained his English and math due.
I have not forgotten this betrayal or sadness of this child.
I guess he was pushing away my soft angel kitty too.


Written 9-27-2019
Contest: Favorite Pet
Sponsor: Regina Riddle
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Marcum Wong Avatar
September 28, 2019 at 9:22 PM
Double anguish is beheld in this sad tale of loss Caren. This is so well expressed and deeply moving. Your entry should be a top winner! I am sorry for your painful loss. A Fave! xxoo
Krutsinger Avatar
September 29, 2019 at 8:42 AM
It was so horrible when another child thought it would be "funny to tell me who ran over my cat." I could not stop sobbing. I think I sobbed for five hours. He was my baby, and he had a cry that said "Mama" when he got locked out. That "mama" woke me up every time.
Kent Avatar
September 28, 2019 at 2:19 PM
Good luck in the contest Caren and thank you for the comments on my poems.
Krutsinger Avatar
September 29, 2019 at 8:43 AM
You are welcome Ronald. I was barely able to write this. It happened in 1997, and this was the first time I tried to write about it.
Labyrinth Avatar
September 28, 2019 at 11:24 AM
LOVE IT. The name, Tommy Van Lets! Beautiful. Priceless. I used to think it was natural for all children to have a sense of value for all life, human and animal. Perhaps this was how I was raised in my family, the era. I thought that was normal back then to value and respect all life. I was naive in my summation of it all. I am saddened and sorry for Tommy Van Lets and your loss. Betrayal by a child is heart wrenching, the act of callousness in the taking of another life and the casualness of humour in the loss of that life, is a reflection on the child's circumstances and their parent's lack of involvement in the child’s understanding of life’s precious value.
Krutsinger Avatar
September 29, 2019 at 8:44 AM
The child had a rough life. His mother died of toxic shock syndrome when he was five and his brother was four. They came home from school and were told their mother was dead leaving them with an alcoholic father who showed no feelings. I still do not forget this betrayal.
Canerdy Avatar
September 28, 2019 at 9:30 AM
I presume the guy who thought running over your beloved pet was funny is in jail now--for some act punishable by law!! This is a great piece, Caren--well-written and heartfelt. Janice
Krutsinger Avatar
September 29, 2019 at 8:45 AM
No. He was a child. Only 17. And I think in Iowa where I lived it was okay to run over pets.
Roper Avatar
September 28, 2019 at 9:02 AM
You have a perfect poem for the entry, Caren, good luck in the contest.
Krutsinger Avatar
September 29, 2019 at 8:45 AM
Thank you Eve. I appreciate it.
Maramba Avatar
September 28, 2019 at 7:53 AM
I had loved this pet too, then sadness visited me shortly when .. a High school lad (...) ran over Tommy one night. (...) This is beautifully written
Krutsinger Avatar
September 29, 2019 at 8:45 AM
Thank you so much. This cat was my BABY. I was so sad.
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