"The Old Cat"
1986 ----- November 9 1999
Cat
Just the Other Day
Just the other day I was watching
you wait for the sound your water dish made.
Oh it's one of those silly 2 liter dispensers.
The kind that use gravity and make a blub blub noise.
You found that noise so fascinating and
were always surprise by it.
And how I laughed watching your delight.
So when your favorite bowl did that noise today I waited….
And for just a moment I saw
you sitting there watching the water.
Then you were gone and there was
nothing left to do or say
All the things I cherished gone and
it was just the other day.
At night when it was dark
why you’d pick the kitchen floor to lay on
was a mystery.
You blended in so well with the color of the tile
that we had to shuffle along so you
wouldn’t get stepped on.
And sometimes we’d forget and
you’d yell and hiss at us and I guess
we deserved that.
So last night when I went out
there and began to shuffle along.
I thought for just one moment
I saw your shape among the
shadows.
Then you were gone and there was
nothing left to do or say.
All the things I cherished gone and
it was just the other day.
You liked to mostly keep to yourself
that was your way. But from time to time
you’d grace us with your presence.
And I’d call out Old Cat.
What a good Old Cat!
You’d smile in that way cats do and acknowledge me.
Then you’d jump up to your favorite perch
(under the fish tank) and
watch us with loving eyes.
So last night when I looked about
I checked that favorite space
And I thought for just one moment
I saw you smiling and loving us
Then you were gone and there was
nothing left to do or say.
All the things I cherished gone and
it was just the other day.
Just the other day I saw you were slipping away.
You couldn’t eat or drink and I knew it was time.
I gave you the last gift I could and took
away your pain while my heart broke.
And after I brought you home
so you could be near all the people
who loved you so.
So this morning when I looked outside
and I checked your resting place
I was surprised to see it's there
when all these memories are still so clear
My faithful friend sleeps on and there is
nothing left to do or say.
All the things I cherished gone and
it was just the other day.
Roberta
| The Old Cat |
| Roberta and Family |