Sunday, May 27, 2012

Sunday Poetry - Abby

I've abandoned my usual anthology of love poetry for today because I wanted to share a couple of poems about cats in memory of Abby who died one year ago yesterday. I still think of her a lot & often find myself calling Phoebe Abby as I think they look alike.

The first poem is by William Cowper.

A poet's cat, sedate and grave,
as poet would wish to have,
was much addicted to enquire,
for nooks to which she might retire,
and where, secure as mouse in chink,
she might repose, or sit and think.
I know not where she caught her trick,
nature perhaps herself had cast her,
in such a mold philosophique,
or else she learn'd it of her master.
Sometimes ascending, debonair,
an apple tree or lofty pear,
lodg'd with convenience in the fork,
she watched the gard'ner at his work;
sometimes her ease and solace sought,
in an old empty wat'ring pot,
there wanting nothing, save a fan,
to seem some nymph in her sedan,
apparell'd in exactest sort,
and ready to be borne in court.


This is Puss by Walter de la Mare. Just change the pronouns from he to her & June to January & it describes many winter afternoons Abby & I spent together.

Puss loves man's winter fire
Now that the sun so soon
Leaves the hours cold it warmed
In burning June.
She purrs full length before
The heaped-up hissing blaze,
Drowsy in slumber down
Her head she lays.
While he with whom she dwells
Sits snug in his inglenook,
Stretches his legs to the flame

And reads his book.

6 comments:

  1. Such lovely poems Lyn. You have my totaly sympathy for the loss of dear Abby, I lost a beloved dog (Rosy) about 4 years ago and still miss her every day. What a great tribute to her. Here's wishing you a peaceful week. Becks xxx

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    1. Thanks Rebecca. It's hard to lose a friend whether they're human or animal but as long as we remember them, they're still with us.

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  2. Sitting at my desk in tears at your lovely tribute to Abby.
    I lost my beloved Maine Coon, Madigan, quite unexpectedly two years ago in June when he was only just 8 and still miss him because he was such a wonderful character.
    I still have his three adorable housemates and love them to bits, but Madi was so special and such a gentle soul that we all felt his loss.

    Right - going to find some tissues and make-up remover now! Have a good week and cuddle Phoebe and Lucky!

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    1. I'm sorry to hear about Madigan, how sad to lose him at such a young age. With winter coming on, Lucky, Phoebe & I have been doing lots of cuddling, staying as close to the heater as possible!

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  3. Lovely poems, and speaking as one whose dogs are an enormously important part of the family, I'm not surprised you've chosen to mark the day in this very fitting way.

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    1. Thank you Cornflower. Our pets are a part of the family & we miss them when they leave us.

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