When I left my old house, Fluffy my male cat, became afraid. As many of you know who own cats, they do not like to go to new homes. I tried to get him and he violently attacked me and left blood everywhere. I cried and cried and cried as Fluffy was my favorite cat. A week later I went back looking again for Fluffy as I knew he must be frightened. There was no fluffy. Then one week later I found Fluffy. I had asked Allah, please let me just see Fluffy one time so I can show him where I am.

So Fluffy comes running when he heard me call him and he was very cautious like saying, I am sorry Mom. I picked him up and held him close and kissed him very gently. He allowed me to put him in to his carrier without resistance but he cried the whole times. I carried him to my house and he screamed bloody murder. When I opened the bag, he refused to come out and he cried so loud. He was so very frightened. I pulled him out of the bag and he ran for cover under the bed. I go quickly to bring him some kitty treats but he would not eat. He was so afraid. I loved Fluffy so much and I just wanted him to be at home with me. He ate a few bites and he screamed more. So I picked him up and kissed him several times and I carried him to the window. He watched very carefully as we passed each room. He allowed me to hug him and I held him tight, but I put him on the table and he ran out the window never looking back.

Fluffy never returned home. They told me my old neighbor killed him. So this poem is for my most beloved friend, Fluffy. (yeah, I know the poem is about a girl cat)

Fluffy, A Cat
R. C. Lehmann

So now your tale of years is done,
Old Fluff, my friend, and you have won,
Beyond our land of mist and rain,
Your way to the Elysian plain,
Where through the shining hours of heat
A cat may bask and lap and eat;
Where goldfish glitter in the streams,
And mice refresh your waking dreams,
And all, in fact, is planned—and that’s
Its great delight—to please the cats.

Yet sometimes, too, your placid mind
Will turn to those you’ve left behind,
And most to one who sheds her tears,
The mistress of your later years,
Who sheds her tears to summon back
Her faithful cat, the white-and-black.

Fluffy, full well you understood
The frequent joys of motherhood—
To lick, from pointed tail to nape,
The mewing litter into shape;
To show, with pride that condescends,
Your offspring to your human friends,
And all our sympathy to win
For every kit tucked snugly in.

In your familiar garden ground
We’ve raised a tributary mound,
And passing by it we recite
Your merits and your praise aright.

“Here lies,” we say, “from care released
A faithful, furry, friendly beast.
Responsive to the lightest word,
About these walks her purr was heard.
Love she received, for much she earned,
And much in kindness she returned.
Wherefore her comrades go not by
Her little grave without a sigh.”

Online text © 1998-2009 Poetry X. All rights reserved.
From The Vagabond and Other Poems from Punch | John Lane Company, 1918

I loose everyone who means anything to me.

SARA