My black cat
with white whiskers
stares silently
eyes fixed
on my face:
the gaze of love
and trust.
Then she blinks
slowly, almost drowsily,
snuggling against my leg,
purring long.
A slight
and dainty cat,
she's ten.
When she came,
she was eight;
she stayed aloof, hiding
behind curtains,
claws ready....
One year before
purring; two to miaow.
But now –
we anchor and
orbit each other;
true minds.
true minds.
This poem is in a new form invented by a friend who wishes to remain private. She calls the form 'arch', in which the 4th stanza is – as she says – 'much like the keystone is for an arch, holding both sides together'. I'll be sharing this poem via Poets United's Poetry Pantry #434 in the New Year.
Details:
The poem is 7 stanzas long, with 69 words. Stanzas break down as follows:
1st stanza: 3 words/3 words/2 words
2nd stanza: 2 words/3 words/4 words/2 words
3rd stanza: 3 words/3 words/4 words/2 words
4th stanza: 2 words/3 words/2 words
5th stanza: 3 words/3 words/4 words/2 words
6th stanza: 2 words/3 words/4 words/2 words
7th stanza:: 3 words/3 words/2 words
I LOV E this poem, and remember how long Selene took to settle in and how rewarding it was when she did. An interesting form. I will give it a go when my head stops shrieking, if it ever does.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is an interesting form. Do you see how the middle stanza (4) is the pivot, and then it sort of travels outward from that the same way it travelled in? (Stanza 5 is the same as 3, 6 as 2, and 7 as 1.)
DeleteThis is beautiful, Rosemary! Such warm feelings about your cat. You two definitely have bonded. I really like the last stanza and picturing how you anchor and orbit each other!
ReplyDeleteThe form is as elegant as a well-built arch: I will try it! And the "Love, eventually"? I totally love the cat experience, and how it applies to human friendship. I liked the first version as well.
ReplyDeleteIn response: https://susanspoetry.blogspot.com/2019/01/sounds-and-silence.html
DeleteI just read Mary's poem and both explore the form through pets... very pleasing to read.
ReplyDeletethank you for showing us how this is done - with such a touching relationship of anchor and orbit. I prefer form structures where there is no predictable rhyme and will try this one out sometime. It's like a bridge or perhaps the arch of a cat's back when stroked!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a joy when you and a pet start to "get" each other. Kit came with a bit of a learning curve as a rescue pup, but it was so worth it.
ReplyDeleteLoving it again, and intrigued by the form. Must try it.
ReplyDeleteSo much like the black cat who showed up with her four kittens beneath our neighbor's house sixteen years ago -- all her brood was gone within five years, but she's remained our most faithful and durable stray (fear has served her well). I pine for not being able to take her in, but we have a bond of long accommodation at that border between house and wild. Not a pet nor a stray. Your poem sings the black cat differently; I would it could have gone that way.
ReplyDeleteSuch an elegant form this is, Rosemary and you have executed it so beautifully!❤️ I love cats and can feel the love and trust here.❤️
ReplyDeleteTo be anchored to another soul is truly one of life's greatest gifts.
ReplyDeleteyes, an interesting form, and elegant too.
ReplyDeletelooks like dance steps too. :)
i think your poem is a fine response to the form.
This is wonderful. To build such trust with a pet is wonderful... and the form works so fine (I have seen it and will try it at some point)
ReplyDeleteTime is so good at breeding trust, especially when all involved care. Thank you for the smile.
ReplyDeleteThis is so adorable, Rosemary, firstly because I am a cat lover and secondly because of the wonderful details. Thank you for introducing me to a new form, which I will try at the next opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI like this - both the thoughts about your cat and the form. I'm terrible with form, but this sounds like fun. Maybe I'll try it sometime.
ReplyDeleteLove this! We have a rescue dog from the Carr fire. He has been with us now for 3 months--and each day he settles in more--but it is a long haul in some ways--trust will take time I think
ReplyDeleteI remember when you first got Selene and how you wondered if she would ever love you. I remember telling you to be patient. She obviously adores you. Such a wonderful love/Love relationship you two have !
ReplyDeleteThis for is interesting--I like the way the second part emphasizes the behavior in the first. Love the entire poem. :)
ReplyDeleteIt all comes down to the end, anchor and obit each other, true minds.
ReplyDeleteA lovely little piece and an interesting form. The 'arch' (as I mentioned in Mary's comment) works very much like the middle line of a Puente poem and gives a splendid symmetry (though the structure of the 'arch' form, it seems to me, has a bit more of a cadence to it, when read aloud). Love the way that the visuals in this create the comfortable mood and speak to the 'evolution' of the relationship.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased Selene has found a loving home.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased for me too, to have such a loving companion.
DeleteThis is the second of the form ive read. First Mary's about her dogs and now yours about your cat. Each poem an ode and a love song equally
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my sumie Sunday
Much🎉love
Thanks for introducing a new form of poetry - arch.
ReplyDeleteVery pleasant read and your pet seems like your best companion -
"we anchor and
orbit each other;
true minds"
Ah...the cat. Ever and classically a cat! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete