In the blue ceramic bowl
on the kitchen floor
the cat food sits
untouched
each morning
a jolting reminder that
outside beneath the apple tree
two small mounds
of fresh-turned soil
slowly settle
Molly Hogan (c) 2017
It’s been a very sad week at our house. We had to put our cat, Ling Ling, down on Monday and our cat, Tunafish, on Tuesday. I still haven’t been able to bring myself to clean out their food bowl.
To read more poetry this week, head on over to Kathryn Apel’s blog where she hosts the Poetry Friday Roundup this week, Aussie style!
Nix the comfort zone 
Thinking of you in this time of loss.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Amy!
LikeLike
Oh, Molly. That is too, too sad. Hugs. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kat. It’s been a tough week, but they were grand old dames and lived wild, adventure-filled lives, and I’ve been trying to focus on that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, what a terrible week! I remember when we lost a cat years ago, even my tough father “got something in his eye”. Thinking of you at this tough time. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such a terrible choice to make even when you know it’s the right one. Thanks, Jane.
LikeLike
So emotional to face the loss of two much-loved cats in two days. My heart goes out to you, Molly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Peggy.
LikeLike
And your second cat, too? I am so sorry for this, Molly. Your poem captures the sad feelings. Hugs to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Molly, I’m so sorry! Sending hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Two! Our hearts are with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Molly, so sorry to hear- that’s too much sadness so quickly. Sending hugs.❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry to read this…and what a moving poem you’ve written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry Molly. Your poem is so haunting and conveys you feeling of loss.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Losing a pet is the worst! But losing two?! Oh, my goodness. I’m so sorry. It’s going be rough for a while. I love how you very artistically put your feelings into words in your poem. Be gentle with yourself today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😦 So sorry! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, my! To lose two furry friends in such quick succession! Deep condolences. Your poem said so much with the images of the bowls and mounds. Heartbreaking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so sorry. Your poem is a heartbreakingly beautiful tribute to them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t had the heart to go to the mound below the oak tree where our dear Bill is buried. A memory on Facebook came up today of him in a tree. He loved climbing trees. I keep thinking I need to make a marker of some sort. Did you mark their graves? Feeling deep sympathy for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Margaret. I’m sorry about your Bill. Those Facebook memories can really kick you in the gut, can’t they? For now I marked the graves with two field stones. Long ago we buried our cat, Quincy, and planted a flowering quince at her gravesite. I think I’m going to plant some sort of perennials at these graves, but I haven’t decided yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Molly. I still remember my cat, Sam. I have a warm spot in my heart that hears his purring as I pet him. XOXO
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness, Molly. I’m so sorry. Your poem is beautiful, poignant, and heartbreaking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry about your cats Molly, sending you a hug, xo. I like the unfolding and meandering of your poem, hope the writing helped a little bit.
LikeLike