A Place in the Sun

...an invitation for cat lovers

A Place in the Sun

 

Morning sun

peers brightly through

an east window,

perfectly curling my tabby cat

upon

a futon chair.

 

Incessantly he sleeps

twitching whiskers,

twitching feet

totally oblivious to

a just vacuumed room.

photography by Kelly Scheppers

Author's Note

I wrote this in 2002 for my three cats... Jessie, Milo & Elliott. Jessie & Milo have since died. Jessie, from the ripe old age of 19, and Milo from a respiratory infection. This is my tabby, Elliott, who will be 17 years old next month! { He has two other partners now...Willow & Izzy.} I love my cats...they are like children to me, a part of my family!

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

How cute this one is.....I think I remember it. You do love your kitties, I know that. I am violently allergic to them, but I still enjoyed the scene you painted with your words. Lydi**

[Kelly Scheppers]

How awful for you! Were you always allergic as a child? I cannot imagine how horrible that must feel. Thank you for remembering this from 2002...and another Cafe! ; )

[Lydia Shutter]

Yes, I have always been allergic to them. We hang out in cafes, don't we? LOL

[joshua deathdealer]

I too love cats. They've always shown me to be content and relaxed in any situation. Lovely poem.

[Kelly Scheppers]

How kind of you to say, Joshua...nice to meet you!

[Nadia Gerassimenko]

I am so sorry for your loss. It's always heartbreaking even losing a pet, they become a part of us, they become our family. That was a very sweet poem. I love observing my kitty sleeping, how gracefully he curls and is so peaceful when he does. And when he is in deep sleep, he twitches, makes sounds, motions as if he is having a wild adventure in his dreamland.

[Kelly Scheppers]

They are quite interesting to watch, especially while they sleep...they are so oblivious to the world around them. I wish I could sleep THAT good! It was good to see you, Nadia...thank you so much for your kind words today!

[dan]

Kelly, as a hopeless cat lover you had me at the photo and title. We are not allowed cats but there are ferals in our neighborhood. One of them, we call him Dandelion, looks just like the yellow cat you used as an avatar for the poem, yellow with rings around his tail. We've been bringing him in and feeding him for 2 years now, he's part of the family. He'll eat, nap for about a half-hour then off he goes! You can write cat poems all day, Kelly, and I'd be a bigger fan than I already am. take care...dan

[Kelly Scheppers]

That's Elliott in the avatar, too...he's such a ham! I remember you telling me about Dandelion, because I remember how it made me think of the kind of person you really were! It stuck with me, and told me so much more about you. It's good to show compassion and love...I think that's part of the reason we're here on this earth to begin with! You are a dear man, Dan...bless you for what you've done!

[Tom]

I always judge folk by their attitude and respect for animals, sadly, many are indifferent, more perturbingly some are down right neglectful, wicked and often cruel towards their fellow feline, four-legged cohabitants!

However you Kelly, fall into that so admirable bracket of noble people who display nothing but kindness, warmth, compassion and most importantly, LOVE towards your pets and I know for a fact that they have and will always return that love many times over throughout their lives, as you all enjoy your time together in blissful harmony !

Splendid Kelly, I take my hat off to salute you, not just a fine poetess but genuinely, a caring , compassionate human being, indeed qualities much in decline and difficult to find in this egocentric, egotistical world in which we all reside !

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your review overwhelms me, Tom. I simply can't see how anyone could be less than compassionate to an animal! Thank you for making my day!

[Dara]

That is an impressive age for a cat Kelly. It must be the love and attention he receives. I love your poem and tribute to one classy cat :-)

[Kelly Scheppers]

He's a good boy, Dara, and he's been through a lot. He had diabetes, where I had to give him a needle every morning. He's doing fine now for his age, and I'd like to think it's because of the love! You are ever so sweet, thank you!

[R Smith]

Beautiful cat and beautiful poem Kelly, i got 5 cats and 3 dogs, i know well your feelings in this poem :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

The most I ever had at one time was four...and at the time we had a german shepherd who totally respected their space! Thank you, Richard...it's good to know you love them just as much!

[sereenaoutloud]

Awe this is adorable and brilliant! So true how our beloved pets are completely oblivious of their trail of mess (or should I say fur) as we clean up after them!! Beautiful write about your babies!!

[Kelly Scheppers]

...yes, the fur is endless! Thank you for enjoying this, Sereena!

[~]

awwww.. this is just too cute. Invitation accepted. When can I come over and purr while you do all the work, without a care in the world, enjoying this lovely sunshine?
Only you would make me want to be a cat :D
love ya!!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Hey girl, bring the twins...the more the merrier! Thank you, love!

[Brian]

Aww, it's so touching. I adore the twitching! Such a beautiful kitty. I'm glad to hear Elliott is still prancing with us at 17! Cats are truly treasures. Great homage, Kelly. :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, Brian...so good of you to comment, so kind!