Bookends

This poem was inspired by something my husband realized.  Thanks, Honey!

BOOKENDS

Dear Tiger Pants,

Your daddy and I sure miss you.

You’re like the bookends of our life.

You came to us when things were getting rocky,

moved away with me when we divorced,

helped a very frightened cat Micah

to feel loved and safe again,

and got to see Dave and I find each other again.

Now that we are remarried and doing nicely,

you probably felt your job was done.

Well, my dear, sweet cat,

Micah can never take your place.

He doesn’t warm up my lap like you did

and beg at our table like a little dog.

He’s not the sentry you were;

You always did such a nice job keeping watch over everything

and “patrolling” the house.

Oh, yeah –

You were a wonderful little hunter.

You ate all the insects you could find

(except that really huge one on the screen once),

I believe you ate one or two mice,

and I know for sure

(I watched and heard)

you especially loved eating tree frogs

that would jump up the side of the townhouse

and onto our deck over the garage.

They didn’t stand a chance with you around.

Dave and I took you away

from a trailer where the guy was never home

and where you got your fear of storms from

his darn tin roof.

We thought we were doing you a favor,

but now I know that it’s the other way around.

You brought love and comfort to us both,

and I thought it cute when I could see your mouth move to meow

but your words did not come out.

Oh Tiger,

it’s going to be so hard without you,

but maybe writing this poem will help.

Make sure you catch a lot of little miceys

up there in Heaven,

and I and Daddy will be along some day.

Love,

Mama

P.S. Micah misses you very much too.