Today is the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, the first official day of fall, when for a few brief periods the hours of daylight and darkness are almost equal as the sun crosses the celestial equator.
So much perfection here! The seasonal changes of the Bay Area light; the unique intimacy of the connection with an ex; the heartbreak of time lost with a beloved pet, now about to be gone forever—all perfectly captured.
💛 We have a cat now (the first time I’ve had one since my childhood) and she is also on the small side. But my hands are covered in little cuts from her attacks 😳. I know she’s going to do it, but I can’t resist playing with her.
The smooth transitions between past and present are done beautifully here making the sad almost bearable. Tenzing Norgay perched on a head, what a cheeky kitty!
Two days after my brother died, our daughter flew in from California to be with me and while here got word that her cat of 14 years was dying. In a house full of grief, it seemed the grief doubled. She flew back after a day or two and reached California in time to be with her Grey for an hour or so before she died.
Fall is full of poignance and reckoning. thanks
It is, isn’t it?
This is gorgeous, LeeAnn! I will never stop being amazed at how a few carefully crafted images can make me feel a whole world of emotion.
Thank you so much, Lisa.
So much perfection here! The seasonal changes of the Bay Area light; the unique intimacy of the connection with an ex; the heartbreak of time lost with a beloved pet, now about to be gone forever—all perfectly captured.
Thanks so much! And such a lovely description of the poem. So glad to have you as a reader.
💔
Oh, gorgeous. I want to also say "sad," but that's not the right word. How small the cat's head is; the end of the third stanza is searing.
Thank you! She was always a little cat. But feisty.
💛 We have a cat now (the first time I’ve had one since my childhood) and she is also on the small side. But my hands are covered in little cuts from her attacks 😳. I know she’s going to do it, but I can’t resist playing with her.
“…Across
from where I sit, the plate,
a wedding gift from your sister,
offers the remains of autumn and
another leaf, dipped in gold,
recently glued to its edge.”
Such a great poem, LeeAnn. Particularly love those closing lines.
🍂💔✨
Thanks so much, James. I really appreciate your comments and reading.
Beatifully poignant Leeann
Wonderful writing, so raw.
Beautiful indeed
The smooth transitions between past and present are done beautifully here making the sad almost bearable. Tenzing Norgay perched on a head, what a cheeky kitty!
She was, indeed.
Beautiful poem x
Two days after my brother died, our daughter flew in from California to be with me and while here got word that her cat of 14 years was dying. In a house full of grief, it seemed the grief doubled. She flew back after a day or two and reached California in time to be with her Grey for an hour or so before she died.
Oh, how hard that must have been for everyone. I'm glad she was able to get back in time to be with Grey.
This is so beautiful. I’m on a bus almost blubbing.
Thanks, Thomas. I wondered if it was too sad to post but then it just felt like the right poem for the day.
Sad, yes; but I am glad I read it.
Such a moving poem 💔
I was so touched by this poem, more moved than I expected to be (always a delight.).
Happy Autumn Equinox, LeeAnn.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, Frances.
Sad, poignant poems are the best.
Indeed they are.