This is a
slight reworking of a post I wrote many years ago.
Cat
I am Cat. I grace you with my presence when I so wish, and recline on your lap, kneading and needling with my claw-sharp paws, primal recollections of comfort and warmth awakened in my memory-rich brain.
I loosen my fur and give it to you. I smile when it tickles your nose and you sneeze.
I pull your hand to me with my curled paw, and caress it with my head, over and over, my scent mixing with yours. I lick your skin with my rough, pink tongue, and you do not stop me for you fear offending me. I bite you, gently, and you do not withdraw.
I possess you, and you love me.
I speak to you in different voices. I cry when I am hungry, ever louder, if you do not answer my needs swiftly. At other times, my tone is gentle, pleading, kindly. My meaning is difficult to understand, but I repeat until you learn, and then I am content. Sometimes I just want you to talk to me - then I beg politely with a silent miaou.
The silent miaou.
I like the fireside, and thank you for it. The heat melts my bones till I lie limp and sated. Outside, summer sun saturates me while I dream of other ages and lands. I twitch my paws and whiskers, flick my ears and call out. I am Cat, ancient as time, wise with atavistic memories. Through the centuries, I have been honoured, worshipped, abused, abandoned.
I loved this Janice ... it is very true, they think they are God & they do educate Us!
ReplyDeleteI knew you would understand, Julie, with your Furry Three, choosing your handwork to sleep on, and appreciating your finest projects.
DeleteSo true.
ReplyDeleteWe had a cat who lived for over 20 years. We got him when my middle son was really little as even then he was different and having a tough time. He called him Shadow, though the cat was very independent and not really a shadow at all. When son left home Shadow stayed with us as, over the years, he had adopted me (who admittedly wasn't that fond of cats after being scratched by one when young) as HIS person. I was the only one whose lap he would sit on and would get awfully vocal when I was away. It was a really sad day when we lost him, but we were lucky Shadow was around for that long!
Cats are funny, the way they decide who to 'bless' with their attention. Shadow sounds a very individual cat and must have left a huge hole when he left.
DeleteQuite true, except for the last line. In time, I expect.
ReplyDeleteAw, go on , Andrew - you know it makes sense.
DeleteBeautifully written.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine.
DeleteWhat a wonderfully written piece! I love cats.
ReplyDeleteThey are very special little beings, always teaching mere humans.
DeleteI love cats!
ReplyDeleteI've been very lucky to have had a lifetime of cats.
DeleteAnd still, in your quiet sovereignty, I remain willingly conquered, grateful for every soft tyranny you bestow
ReplyDeleteBeautifully expressed.
DeleteAll so true and how I have lived Cat.
ReplyDeleteThere was never another cat like Mr T.
ReplyDeleteI've never read any truer words, perfect post.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteEvery cat knows this in every cat wishes we humans would understand this. Mine has always run the show at home. And quite honestly that's the way I like it. Hope Jellicoe is feeling better.
ReplyDeleteThat's the first lesson a cat teaches - the cat is in charge!
Deletethis Cat story echoes what Bob and I were talking about this morning when we first woke up. We said much the same type things about Beau, and how glad we are that he owns us and how happy he makes us. If I can remember what all we said, I will do a post...
ReplyDeleteOur animals mean a lot to us.
DeleteThat last line says it all.
ReplyDeleteWhy have them otherwise?
DeleteLoved this. And it's so true. I haven't had a cat for a very long time but I do remember what it was like
ReplyDeleteThey do rule the roost.
DeleteExactly the character of a cat!
ReplyDeleteCats are their own people!
DeleteThis is so well-written.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteBeautifully written, brings back memories of my two darling cats.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
Happy memories live on.
DeleteAhh...such special words. Would you believe that we have never had a cat? There is a community cat around here that prefers walking on our back fence most days, but this is as close as it comes to us every having a pet cat.
ReplyDeleteSome cats choose their people and their homes. Other cats prefer to spread their affection and attention.
DeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThere were three cats in my life and I loved them - Oscar, Blizzard and Boris. The last one was not named after that fat oaf who occupied 10 Downing Street for a little while. Boris appeared in our garden as a stray then lived with us for fifteen years until the night that he didn't come home. I still miss him.
ReplyDeleteThe sadness of cats who simply don't come home one day is that we never know what happened to them. Imagination is more powerful than knowledge.
DeleteThis could be written of several cats that have owned me over the years. I especially think of my (recently) late and much loved Beau who used to jump onto my bed at night and curl against my stomach, purring softly. It was the music that lulled me to sleep on so many nights.
ReplyDeleteIt feels such a privilege to have a cat select one to cuddle up to.
DeleteExcellent! That really captures the feline spirit. I especially like the mention of "atavistic memories."
ReplyDeleteThey're as old as time.
DeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThey do possess a certain magic to bend human will to their own purpose, don't they?
ReplyDeleteThey're magical.
DeleteI love this!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteFor cat lovers everywhere a beautifully written piece.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you, Jan.
DeletePeu de mots plus vrais ont jamais ete ecrits (Sorry, can't figure out how to enable the diacritics on this keyboard....)
ReplyDeleteI thank you for the kind words. Merci.
DeleteThis is so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes as I remembered my Lola and Angel who came before her.
ReplyDeleteThey leave their pawprints in our memories.
DeleteWow what a beautiful cat.
ReplyDeleteHe was a gorgeous boy and so affectionate. Sadly, he died when he was six years old.
DeleteBeautiful homage to all cats.
ReplyDelete