This Poem was Submitted By: Kenneth R. Patton On Date: 2005-12-29 14:10:12 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Trusting Eyes

I thought I heard him meow last night calling for his supper The familiar clicking of paws on linoleum   I thought I saw him looking at me Insisting that I understand his one word vocabulary   I thought I felt him on my lap jumping on my soft robe Purring soaking in my warmth   I will miss his trusting eyes

Copyright © December 2005 Kenneth R. Patton

Additional Notes:
I had to have my Old Pal put down on Christmas Eve. He was 16 and had congestive heart failure


This Poem was Critiqued By: Thomas H. Smihula On Date: 2006-01-06 09:53:16
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.37500
How close he had become to you for the emotion is shown well within this poem. I am glad you shared it with us for you have expressed a part of you from within. How he will be missed for he was a confort to you. I like the wording, the presentation, the flow, and the thought behind this. Well done.


This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2006-01-05 06:44:37
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.80000
Hi Ken......I am sorry for the pain you must have felt having to say good bye to your Old Pal......that is a long time to have a dear friend especially a feline one at that.....Good structure, your memory comes to life with the hearing of the familiar meow (they certainly do have a sound of their own) and the clocking of the paws against the linoleum floor......your words have brought your friend back to life if only for a short time to share with us your feelings and yes your love for him. I have two cats, both are strays that no one wanted and just dropped off here in the woods of Tully. Snowball is pure white angora, with one blue eye and one green eye and such a lovely cat he is.......though it took him well over six months to become friendly enough to allow me to pat him. I would feed and leave water every day and he would only come close when I went back into the house.......I shall never forget the day he finally allowed himself the pleasure of coming close enough and at that time he brought me a present, a live dangling snake to say thank you......well, we had our first good talk that day.........and now there is Big Tom, a big black and white cat, totally different from Snowball. Short hair and BIG.........He must weigh over twenty pounds (perhaps not that much but still) he is the boss, took him less time to take over the back porch though. Got to be so testy Snowball is now an inside cat.........and I just adore him.....well, thanks for letting me share a few bits of my feline experiences............Snowball is angora and leaves much fur around but it cleans up okay and I can't complain, he loves to eat at all hours of the day and night.......he had a bed in the living room and in the bedroom and most often sleeps on the foot of the bed when Jerry is on the road.......He is about eight years old they tell me (senior cat) but he still runs like a young fella. Thanks again for posting, my thoughts are with you.....take care and good wishes for the New Year. God Bless, Claire
This Poem was Critiqued By: arnie s WACHMAN On Date: 2005-12-31 15:12:27
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.71875
What a lovely tribute Kenneth. I too have a cat. I adopted him. Never thought I would get attached, but I have. He's about 10 now and as frisky as ever. Thanks for this.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2005-12-30 18:02:00
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.86667
Kenneth, This poem shows so much love for your old pal of 16 years. wow! Most people today rarely keep their pets, giving them away when tired of them. You showed your commitment to something you loved. A pet isn't just 'a pet'. They become family members. My little dog [pekanese]run off and never made it back home and I've been broken hearted. He was so cute someone must have picked him up! Cats are more independant, they can't be so easily got. And they are so personable. I've had cats I love and some I didn't really like. So yours sounds like a sweetheart. I liked the clicking feet on the floor. did he scratch your furniture! Sorry he's gone, but his memory lives on. Dellena
This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2005-12-29 18:16:09
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.96774
Kenneth, This well structured, deeply heart felt poem brought tears to my eyes. Even before you wrote your note I knew of what you speak, it is so difficult and I don't believe we ever get over our loved/family member pets/friends/pals leaving us here without them. I stil think at times I see my Bichon' at the foot of the bed, feel him curled to the back of my legs.... we miss them forever though we learn to deal somewhat with it until we read a poem like yours. It is excellent in it's simplicity and honesty...nothing needs changing, it is full impact. Kudos! Best always, Lora
This Poem was Critiqued By: Tony P Spicuglia On Date: 2005-12-29 16:51:05
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.90909
Kenneth, this is so touching a piece. I would tell you the story of "Proud Mink of Hasenstad" but this is about your loss. I believe you have given me all I recall, and captured the most important. I know those trusting eyes, and the loss which follows. I haven't much critical to say of this piece, it suits in style and "resonance", I am just glad you shared it with me. There is much here I do not want to forget.
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