Just a little info for my faithful readers: The sweet cat watching the ducks is no longer with us: He was a much loved companion pet to my best friend Roy.
I've always cherished this photo, and wanted to write something about how short and sweet life is for all living creatures.
Haiku seems the best form to express this (to me).
Haiku gives us so much to ponder in so few words. Great! I also like the cat photo (of course) and your shared memories. And I hadn't heard "Year of the Cat" in a long time. I'd almost forgotten about it.
Jon, Roy took the great cat photo during one of their many adventures together. I like Haiku because it's a real challenge to say so much in just three lines: Plus you have to count syllables big time! Always so good to hear from you :-)
P.S. Year of the Cat was a favorite song of mine during my youth. I actually bought the album. I love the lyrics and music...
This cat learned to tolerate traveling in a car, bus & small airplane rather late in life. He had to be carried away from the house, but strained at his leash coming home. Made it to age 17. Never got to Arizona. Cats travel much better if started as kittens.
I've always said he was a most brave fellow, and he was. He seems to be observing the geese and ducks with a true curiosity about life. No, not as a meal, but with awe and wonder about all living creatures.
Extrapolating from your photo of a curious now-gone cat to create a haiku about the transient nature of life is both clever and effective. Well-done! And you're right. I think the haiku format was the perfect fit for this.
Thanks, Susan. I wish my profs at college had been as kind as you are when it comes to "grading" my poetry. I was forever going out on a limb, and most people/poets/teachers like to stay w/strict form.
If you are not already a teacher, then you would make a great one. I really do appreciate your very kind words :-)
My guess is there was nothing wrong with your poetry in college. You just weren't a good fit with your professors. Going out on a limb is a gutsy way to write and to live, and I think more teachers should encourage creative thinking. Staying within a set form works well when pouring concrete, but not so much for creative expression.
He does have an air of curiosity. We were adopted by a cat that spied on us for days before strolling as through she had a reservation. Having been so chosen, we kept her, and she spent her last years with us. It was a good thing, to share our time and space. Condolences to Roy x
Hi Lisa, thanks for stopping by! Cats make the best companions, but it is like losing a friend/family member when they leave this world for a better one.
I'll be sure and let Roy know about your kind condolences. He reads my blog more than I do!
This cat, adopted me and there were eventually 5 cats in the household. Interesting how people, I think, are more likely to go looking for a dog, whereas they're not looking for a cat. The cat, often abandoned, is looking for food & a warm place, thus selecting their owner.
I discovered most of my cats abandoned during the winter. One cat was literally buried in a two foot high snow drift. I only saw the tip of her tail, and thought someone had lost or tossed aside a fur cap/hat.
After digging in the snow with my hands for a minute, I was totally shocked to find an almost frozen cat! I rushed her home, and after placing her in front of the heater for a few minutes, she suddenly sprang to life!
If I had found her in the snow a minute or so later, I am certain she would have perished. People can be so cruel...
Just a little info for my faithful readers: The sweet cat watching the ducks is no longer with us: He was a much loved companion pet to my best friend Roy.
ReplyDeleteI've always cherished this photo, and wanted to write something about how short and sweet life is for all living creatures.
Haiku seems the best form to express this (to me).
Dylan, the ampliative induction essential to haiku is most appropriate to the individual commenting on something so tremendous as life. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Geo. I've added a song I like to this post: Poetry, Haiku, Music, Art, Photography - this is what helps us to remember those we love most...
DeleteHaiku gives us so much to ponder in so few words. Great! I also like the cat photo (of course) and your shared memories.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hadn't heard "Year of the Cat" in a long time. I'd almost forgotten about it.
Jon, Roy took the great cat photo during one of their many adventures together. I like Haiku because it's a real challenge to say so much in just three lines: Plus you have to count syllables big time! Always so good to hear from you :-)
DeleteP.S. Year of the Cat was a favorite song of mine during my youth. I actually bought the album. I love the lyrics and music...
This cat learned to tolerate traveling in a car, bus & small airplane rather late in life. He had to be carried away from the house, but strained at his leash coming home. Made it to age 17. Never got to Arizona. Cats travel much better if started as kittens.
ReplyDeleteI've always said he was a most brave fellow, and he was. He seems to be observing the geese and ducks with a true curiosity about life. No, not as a meal, but with awe and wonder about all living creatures.
DeleteExtrapolating from your photo of a curious now-gone cat to create a haiku about the transient nature of life is both clever and effective. Well-done! And you're right. I think the haiku format was the perfect fit for this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. I wish my profs at college had been as kind as you are when it comes to "grading" my poetry. I was forever going out on a limb, and most people/poets/teachers like to stay w/strict form.
DeleteIf you are not already a teacher, then you would make a great one. I really do appreciate your very kind words :-)
My guess is there was nothing wrong with your poetry in college. You just weren't a good fit with your professors. Going out on a limb is a gutsy way to write and to live, and I think more teachers should encourage creative thinking. Staying within a set form works well when pouring concrete, but not so much for creative expression.
DeleteHe does have an air of curiosity. We were adopted by a cat that spied on us for days before strolling as through she had a reservation. Having been so chosen, we kept her, and she spent her last years with us. It was a good thing, to share our time and space. Condolences to Roy x
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, thanks for stopping by! Cats make the best companions, but it is like losing a friend/family member when they leave this world for a better one.
DeleteI'll be sure and let Roy know about your kind condolences. He reads my blog more than I do!
This cat, adopted me and there were eventually 5 cats in the household. Interesting how people, I think, are more likely to go looking for a dog, whereas they're not looking for a cat. The cat, often abandoned, is looking for food & a warm place, thus selecting their owner.
ReplyDeleteI discovered most of my cats abandoned during the winter. One cat was literally buried in a two foot high snow drift. I only saw the tip of her tail, and thought someone had lost or tossed aside a fur cap/hat.
DeleteAfter digging in the snow with my hands for a minute, I was totally shocked to find an almost frozen cat! I rushed her home, and after placing her in front of the heater for a few minutes, she suddenly sprang to life!
If I had found her in the snow a minute or so later, I am certain she would have perished. People can be so cruel...