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

[ANTO]

This is lovely Kelly. To watch them as they sleep - like babies - and to get that ahh in the soul knowing that they are there for you and you for them is a wonderful feeling. I love how you implied that the sun had curled your feline friend into that shape - I can imagine two gentle hands from the suns rays arranging their charge into that shape we humans envy because it looks so comfy.
RIP your little friends who have gone ahead and await the rest of you to have fun again together. Kudos Kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I can tell by your avatar you "know" and understand the feeling...thank you so much, Anto!

[alf]

Oh my oh my!!! can I please become one of your cats!!! What a life!!! No mousing, no putting up with anything, just lazing in the sun!!!!!!!!!!!! Think of how many poems I might write in my head if I were treated with such favourable conditions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Luv, this poem, but am totally envious of the cats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! alf

[Kelly Scheppers]

I know, I have a habit of doting over them! Perhaps in your next life you can come back as one...and I'll adopt you, how's that? Lol, thank you for the smile, Alf...dear, sweet Alf! x

[alf]

Purrrfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[andrew mitchell]

So like a cat lol. I love cats, sadly Our black british shorthair died but what a joy lol. Spot on with the feline mannerisms. Its a big MEOW from me!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, Andrew! Have a good weekend!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

And I bet he did not offer to vacuum for you! I am highly allergic to cats but had cats when I was younger. One of my recent girlfriends had her cat re-homed because of me. I did love to watch them when they were asleep as they certainly know just how to do chilled! Well described scene here Kelly.Oh and you missed that bit of carpet by the door!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Only YOU would comment on me missing a spot by the door...lol!! Thank you, John!

[AaronFreitas]

Man that is some loyalty from your cats to not run away! haha I have 4 cats... actually I have no cats but 4 live at my house lol. This is an awesome tribute to them... pets are family just like children :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

I keep mine indoors...I believe they stay healthier that way, and lived longer. Thank you for the review, Aaron!

[Coyote Poetry]

I have one cat left. I lost two to illness in the past five years. Were my daughter's cats. Somehow I'm the only one left to take care of her. I agree. Animals become part of our family. Nice photos and I'm like the cat. I need to find the sun and rest. Thank you Kelly for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Kelly Scheppers]

It's hard to believe that they can suffer from the same diseases as we do, isn't it? Thank you John...I believe I saw a very compassionate man in that review!

[Coyote Poetry]

They do. That is why science want to use them and you are welcome.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Kelly ... When I had a Miniature Pincher that lived
seventeen years, I had mice also. Now I have three cats
and no mice. The mice are intimidated by their purring
and whiskers so they must leave the same way they entered.
I believe there was a movie, "A place in the Sun". Perhaps
Elizabeth Taylor starred in that movie, with her beautiful
Cat eyes. truly... Pat

[Kelly Scheppers]

Yes, you're so smart, Pat! There is a movie by the same title, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift, but you must have popcorn in hand by the beginning of it, for you simply won't want to miss a moment of Liz on the screen! You'll have to message me and tell me your cats names! Thank you, Pat...thank you so much!

[Patricia Wedel]

Kelly... Mother cat is a Calico named Kiki... her twins...
a boy Tom and a girl Pris, both black with white paws
and long whiskers... "kittens with whiskers and warm
woolen mittens... these are a few of my favorite things".
Love the movie, Sound of Music... truly, Pat

[Relic]

I've had two cats and enjoyed their company very much. Their funny with their playful swipes and their twitching. Not to mention that little sputtering meow they do when looking out the window at the chirping of the birds. I like the picture. Cats love to sleep in sunny spots.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I've always had a cat, or a dog in my life, ever since childhood. I think it makes a house a little more of a home! Thank you, Relic!

[....................]

Such a wonderful tribute to your feline family, Kelly. And that picture, makes me smile ear to ear for I have a dog that loves the sun and spends hours sleeping beneath its glowing warmth. You have a way with your poetry that brings the reader into the moment... I thought I heard the vacuum cleaner going but was too caught up in the warmth of your description to move. Love it!!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Elliott is fearless...not even the vacumn cleaner makes him flinch! I think his age has made him that way, but he seeks out the sun in every room he goes into. That's him in the avatar I used for the poem, too. Thank you so much for such an endearing review, Thomas!

[....................]

As always, my pleasure. :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

what a cute picture...and yes, it is fun to watch our cats sleep and dream and twitch.

[Kelly Scheppers]

All three of them are hams when it comes to the camera! Thank you, Jacob.