The old grey cat spent his days
drowsing tranquilly n the bed
of the first child who was gentle
with him from the day he was first
put on her lap and her little hand
stroked him from head to tail.
The second child patted him hard,
rubbed his fur roughly.
Ephraim would slink outside.
He would sit with the woman
in the garden as she
weeded planted pruned.
One day sharp pains invaded his gut
the vet said they could only ease them.
Ephraim went to sunbathe on the roof
but could not climb back down.
His cries of pain brought the
woman up the ladder to his rescue.
Now he stayed on the first child’s
bed, only sometimes going outside.
Early one Sunday, opening one eye,
he saw no readying for work
or kindergarten that day.
He slipped into sleep, the deepest sleep,
and they left him on the first child’s
bed for final tearful goodbyes.
Later that day the man dug a grave
between clumps of blue grass
in the garden. They covered Ephraim
with soil, flowers, farewells.
For several days the children placed
flowers on the little grave, finally
seeing Ephraim was resting for ever.
Previously posted July 2016.
Was he your beloved kitty?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No he was “Dad’s” beloved kitty who arrived before “Dad” met “Mum”. But he took to “Mum” very quickly, and their first child. He loved to sit with “Mum” when she was gardening. But he was friendly to all the family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, this made me cry. Rest in Peace.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much. I hope you are feeling better now. He is at peace. The black and white cat – he of the strange blotches – sympathetic to them all these days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sniffled too, reading this poem which is beautifully expressed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. I sniffled a bit too, typing it on to WordPress. He really was a lovely natured cat.
LikeLiked by 1 person