poem: Standing in Morning Sunlight

poem: Standing in Morning Sunlight

A Chapter by Marie Anzalone
"

standing vigil for a dying pet

"

You are 15 years of memories

curled into 18 inches of plush oval space

in front of a heater;

sleekness and shine gone flat

pronounced ridges and

pained intake of breath

and way too hot under a palm

set gently upon your back,

or lifting your swollen tummy.

 

I weigh options as live snakes:

these spaces are where

the Creator meets us

but only ever halfway.

Time teaches us  to stand in place

for profound transition and loss-

hours or days enough to remember, I pray,

those times you caught an ermine,

challenged me to a duel of wits,

selected 3 ex boyfriends

ran one suitor off

and rejected my choice of mate for you,

preferring your own gender.

 

I opt for a minimally invasive course

and your eyes, for now, are still clear;

you still see too much of me.

I inject, administer, remove and clean:

fluids and functions,

fighting neuronal damage

and liquid aspiration, removing

urine stains, tangles

making the rough, smooth again

the dirty, clean again;

taking back every time

I raised my voice, wondering

do cats laugh at their best tricks

at the close of life?

 

Because, I must it hand to you,

loving, faithful, demanding teacher-

that time you pissed on my ex

should have told me so much.

I am sorry for all you tried to tell me

when I did not have time to listen.

I hope you can still give me

just a few more days with you-

to get used to the thought of you not

snaking around my feet

wanting to go out and stand

in the morning sunlight, glistening

like a spirit guide always was meant to.

 

 

 

 

 



© 2013 Marie Anzalone


Author's Note

Marie Anzalone
I wrote this 6 months ago, when we thought we were watching him breathe his last breath. Antibiotics, fluids, and nutrient supplements brought him back to us. He slipped away yesterday, unnoticed amongst household trauma, to die peacefully. A belated spring had come- it was not for long, but he got to see warm sunlit days again.RIP, dear Porgy. Bess misses you terribly.

updated 5/13/13

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Featured Review

there is uniqueness to the thoughts within your poem Marie, the emotional ties are almost or even similar to a relationship with human traits, one can feel the sincerity with which you write and express your closeness, your love, and your compassion...it is surely your Soul expressing the depth of you...

nice thoughts...

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Marie Anzalone

11 Years Ago

Thank you, Art... always a pleasure when your kindly soul graces my page with your gentle and insigh.. read more



Reviews

ended up housesitting for dear friends on Saturday night, and her dear friend Mr. Tutti is twenty years old if he is a day, and fading fast . . . I was taken aback at the obvious physical changes in his appearance the other day, and I'm hoping for a few more days for both of you

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Marie Anzalone

11 Years Ago

Thanks, Emily... I am happy to report that when I wrote I was sure he was breathing his last (and I .. read more
Ah, this brought tears...too often I've had to have pets put to sleep due to ailments, and never really had the chance to tell them good bye, or adjust my thoughts in order to accept their leaving me...
It also made me laugh....a pet that pisses on anyone is definitely telling us something....
May you and your feline friend find peace.

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Marie Anzalone

11 Years Ago

Thanks Kelli... I leave the country in 5 days, and, really hope the siuation goes one way or the oth.. read more
the time you pissed on my ex... ah, our furry guardians try so hard to teach us, but do we listen? Embrace this time, embrace the memories, and stand in the Morning Sunlight with him (even if it is only in your mind this evening) and be comforted, for he knows your heart.

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Marie Anzalone

11 Years Ago

You are so right, Mary. True story: shortly after the pissing incident mentioned in this poem, I was.. read more

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Added on December 4, 2012
Last Updated on May 14, 2013

Peregrinating North-South Compass Points


Author

Marie Anzalone
Marie Anzalone

Xecaracoj, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala



About
Bilingual (English and Spanish) poet, essayist, novelist, grant writer, editor, and technical writer working in Central America. "A poet's work is to name the unnameable, to point at frauds, to ta.. more..

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