In Memoriam - Beloved Cats of the Past

Almost from the beginning of Cat in the Buff I was thinking there should be a section to acknowledge cats who are no longer with us. My reasons were selfish, of course. I wanted to acknowledge B.J. Honeycat and Baby Boy, two of my favorite cats. I didn't do it because it's kind of a downer, and I wasn't sure how visitors would respond.

Then, Talpianna sent me an email with a picture of Lilith, which included a poem she wrote. I expect more than some of us have had cat friends who are gone now. If you are like Talpianna (and me), you don't want those felines to be forgotten.

My intention was to make B.J. Honeycat the first. But I don't think it is any slam on his memory if I instead make Lilith the first cat to be honored. BJ was always a gentleman. I'm sure he would have no problem in letting a lady go first.

Lilith

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Lilith’s Song

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She walks in Her garden at break of day;

Small paws follow and will not stay—

“Lady Bastet, my Goddess and Queen,

Let me go back where I have been!

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“A voice is speaking a broken prayer;

A heart is breaking, for I’m not there;

Someone who loves me is all alone;

Lady Bastet, I want to go home!”

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She basks, slit-eyed, in the morning sun,

But a kitten’s plea is not yet done:

“Lady Bastet, please let me go;

She’s crying still—she loves me so!

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“Your gardens are rich in beauty and grace,

With cream to lap and mice to chase,

But still I long for the love I lack;

Lady Bastet, let me go back!”

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She rests in the shade at the height of noon;

A small voice whispers, “I must go soon!

feel her sorrow and grief like a knife—

Let me be with her in my next life!

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“Goddess, our time was not so long

As a bird in Your garden’s morning song,

But time enough for love to grow—

Goddess, dear Goddess, please let me go!”

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The stars in Her garden are candles lit.

She gently caresses the grieving kit.

“Brighter than stars doth a true heart burn:

Lilith, I grant you your wish—Return!”

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The stars look down in their vast array

As a small cat trots through the Milky Way,

Her pale fur gleams with reflected light

As she picks her way through the cosmic night.

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Down to a planet of green and blue—

The only home that she ever knew—

To leap into arms that have ached for her,

To cuddle, be hugged and kissed, and purr.

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8/21/03

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I do not know what God's plan is for animals in eternity. I'm not sure he's ever told us. But sometimes I wonder about those we call pets. When I used to sometimes look in BJ or Baby Boy's eyes I would find myself wondering: Are you an angel in feline form placed in my care in order for me to prove my worth? If so, then they will be with us in heaven.

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I don't know. I only know that it is very easy to fall in love with a cat.

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