Speaking the Name
‘Queenie!’ they called in the schoolyard game,
‘Queenie!’ they called in the schoolyard game,
drawing it out like a taunt: ‘Queen-eeee.’
Was it catching a ball or skipping a rope?
By now I forget ... but neither a thing I could do.
I know it was facing the wall, then turning around
to a crowd of jeering faces – or none; abandoned.
So when she came to me, bearing that name
to announce that she was imperious
to announce that she was imperious
(another owner’s taunt for a defensive cat
incorrectly seen as proud and bossy)
incorrectly seen as proud and bossy)
I couldn’t call her that. I wanted to summon
loving-kindness when I spoke to her.
I found a beautiful rhyme, even more elevated:
Selene (moon goddess). In time she accepted that.
I found her not imperious but gracious,
wanting to please; eventually sweet and loving.
Seeing it written, one asked was it Sellenay.
Most assumed Seleen. ‘To rhyme with Queenie’
I kept explaining in vain. Never mind, we got it,
she and me. It suited her natural elegance.
Also I called her My Treasure, Sweetheart,
Cleverest Thing, Most Beautiful Cat in the World,
and after she slipped so quickly into her final sleep,
softly touching her head: ‘My Darling Girl.’
Written for Weekend Mini Challenge: Nomenclature at 'imaginary garden with real toads. Also linked to Poets United's Poetry Pantry #444
Somewhere Selene is still shining, don't you suppose?
ReplyDeleteI am in tears .. this is beautiful and touches deeply .. Selene (moon goddess) is perfect and yes most suitable. I have seen photographs of her and always thought she resembled her owner in elegance and poise.. gosh the way she gazed at the camera made my heart melt! Lovely write, Rosemary ❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words, dear Sanaa.
DeleteOh those last lines made me cry, Rosemary. As with all living beings, she responded to the love you gave with gratitude at being recognized at last. Such a beautiful girl. I am so glad she had those years with you.
ReplyDeleteSo am I!
DeleteOh how this brought tears to my eyes Rosemary. My Darling Girl....now I have to go have a good cry at the loss of her gentle elegance and love and a few for you as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes it bearable (if only just) is that it was so necessary she not stay a moment longer.
DeleteI love all the other names... and of course I also think of naming the cat by T.S. Eliot
ReplyDelete" a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?"
All the names in Practical Cats are wonderful!
DeleteSelene is a beautiful name indeed.
ReplyDeleteI was really pleased to find it. (I wanted a similar sound to what she had been called, so as not to confuse her.)
DeleteThe final stanza does things to the heart, especially after having read the journey on the lines that precede it—she lingers, your Selene...
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteSuch a lovely tender write, so sweet.
ReplyDeleteShe was a sweet girl.
DeleteWe used to play ‘Queenie, Queenie, who's got the ball?’ in the school playground of my youth, Rosemary. Oh those playground queens and bossy-boots, who made our lives unbearable! But you found a beautiful name for your beautiful queen cat.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, that's the game I was imperfectly recalling.
DeleteThis was a fun read, Rosemary. But I hope it isn't memories of hurt feelings, there is nothing fun about them. I also had several non-serving names in high school, I didn't like any of them. I call Mrs. Jim "Arlenie", our daughter "Karenie" and gets an 'ie' also but KP isn't her real name, just mine for blogging. Her big sister is BP.
ReplyDelete..
Well yes, it was the memories of hurt feelings, albeit long ago, which led to the decision. A fun read? Perhaps you are reading on a device that doesn't show the whole poem?
DeleteGorgeous! luv the way you refashioned her by re naming her
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my sumie Sunday Rosemary
Much💛🌻💛love
Yes, words carry energy.
DeleteAh the power of loving-kindness. How lucky Selene was, to have found you. And - with this enchanting piece - you have told her story affectionately - and well . A lovely read.
ReplyDeleteI think I was lucky too, greatly blessed.
DeleteLove that last line... and now I know how to say the name right as well!
ReplyDeleteIt is Greek, but people who are not familiar with it expect it to be pronounced as it would be if it was English – naturally enough, I suppose – hence the confusion.
DeleteAh, such an emotional tribute and memory, Rosemary! Selene is indeed a lovely name — how you capture the tangent of this relationship and narrate this heartwarming story is beautiful. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteQueen Selene!
ReplyDeleteIf you believe in fate, i guess fate brought the both of you together. She was loved and she love in return, perhaps not every human can do. and Selene is a lovely name.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that fate brought us together, yes –particularly as I never go looking for a cat, the Universe always brings them to me.
DeleteThere are too many tears ..................... falling
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tears.
DeleteOh this brought tears. I watch my old Bindi Lu roam from room to room and know his days are getting shorter.
ReplyDeleteDays to be treasured.
DeleteRoyalty indeed... and yes, they are our sweet darlings... sigh.
ReplyDelete*Sighing too*.
DeleteAs a companion to 3 beautiful cats, my condolences on Selene's passage from this plane, to the next one. May she live eternally in your heart and memories, Rosemary. There is something special, when a cat adopts you, into their life and sharing of love.
ReplyDeleteAwww...this is sad, yet sweet. Selene- never to be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteThat's for sure.
Delete