Feline Friends
We invite them into our home and,
before we know it, they’ve wrapped
themselves around our hearts.
We don’t own them, they employ us
to meet their every need, telling us
in no uncertain meow what they want.
In the mornings, before the kettle is filled
and switched on, fresh food and water is
provided for our furry feline friends.
They reply to our speech and greet us
when we appear, rubbing against us
to establish their ownership.
They sit on our lap (well, some of them do)
and sleep on our bed, they purr when we
stroke them and scratch their head.
Stroking silky fur, therapy for our souls,
relaxing us, strengthening the bond
between us and our feline family friend.
Eyes, like jewels, draw us in to their souls,
now totally besotted, we cannot imagine
our life before them or without them.
They are so completely part of our family,
an integral fixture in our lives, such is
the relationship of cat with human.
But when they get sick and can’t be fixed,
we have to say goodbye, which leaves
a big gaping hole where our heart used to be.
We cry, we mourn, we feel totally forlorn,
our only hope that they have gone to a
happy place, where we will meet again, one day.
Ruth Mawdsley 22-1-19
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