Sophia (17)

As the year closes out
the brown grasses bend
in the unceasing wind
over the empty machair

Your voice still rings out
and your laughter is echoed,
your smile reflected
in the sun on the waves

Your faithful companion
of the past five years
looks out at night time
still wondering when you'll be back

We said good-bye,
that night in Lochmaddy,
never knowing
it would be for good

2019 will be a new start
we'll remember you
whilst going forward
swim strong, mermaid

Sophia (16)

From the Window on the West
I look out at night
I'm waiting still
it's been nearly two months now

Was out hunting voles
and tried to come in
the machair was dark
the wind blew cold

There was no response
No call to return
for night upon day
until they found me

A few days I spent
in a house I was not used to
her scent was there
and I slept on her scarf

She would be back soon
even when I had to ride in the car
to a different place
with friendly people

From the Window on the West
I look out at night
I'm waiting still
surely

surely
she'll be back soon
Is that her coming up the path
to the Window on the West?

[Sophia's cat Torran, still awaiting her return in her new forever home]

Sophia (15)

Time marches on
it's now six weeks
since you left us
in the quiet of the night

We didn't know
you had gone
we saw you out and about
just hours before

But no reply ever more came
after you fell asleep
by the machair
above the sea

I remember your serene smile
of deep friendship
of happy evenings
in fading light

I remember your voice
which can be recalled
in recordings
from yesteryear

The sea was ever your companion
from the very day you were born
until the day you were gone
it was never far away

I know you're yet nearby
not in form, but in spirit
gently touching me
when darkness closes in

Your feline friend
looks out for you
to come striding up the path
to take her across the Rainbow Bridge

Time marches on
and so must I
where you will remain
forever in my heart

Sophia (14)

I'm left with but memories
pictures of visits
only too brief
recordings of your music

The islands don't change
the grasses bend in the wind
as it sighs through
the machair lands

The ocean's drumbeat
punctuates my loss
but on I must go
carried by your memory

The sun sets
into Henneth Annun
an empty window now
on the west

So many you touched
briefly or over years
who'll remember
you and little Torran

still waiting
in her own window on the west
for your familiar form
to carry her over the Rainbow Bridge

Sophia (13)

On the edge of the machair
on the edge of the ocean
you left us
in the quiet of the night

Little Berneray was
your last port of call
in the fields of flowers
where the waves lap ashore

Your spirit slipped out
in the depths of the night
looked out on Bjorn's Isle
left your companion for now

Little Berneray wept
that sunsplashed afternoon
Little Berneray sang
under the December stars

You walk with Orion
you swim in Canopus' light
under the Southern Cross
from whence you came

to the edge of the machair
by the ocean's shore
Your voice still rings out
in my mind's ear

Sophia (12)

And now it's just memories
photographs and music
the austere landscape
that was your home

We'll learn yet
what happened
it does not matter
not anymore

You're one with the machair
where your bare feet
found solace
back to mother earth

You're one with the ocean
where you swim with the mermaids
and your laugh merges
with the crying of the birds

What you left behind
cannot be quantified
for it is with each of us
who remembers you

You're with us forever
with your faithful companion
who'll always be waiting
none will ever forget

Sophia (11)

The last line of my last message to Sophia - which she never read.

*Anyway, hope all is well with cats, and catch you wherever.*

Wherever you are now, Sophia, I know you're free, unbound from old pain, dancing, singing and laughing. You were loved, ARE loved, and missed by so many people who will always love you.

Torran is loved and taken care of, but is still waiting for your return. As she always will be, until she crosses the Rainbow Bridge - where she will meet you again. That's also where Faili, and all your other cats of yesteryear will be reunited with you.

Some of your friends will be around in Berneray tomorrow, where, I gather, you were happy. I am glad you left us feeling happy. I hope so at any rate.

A little of you will be left on the machair in Berneray.
A little of you will be left in Australia, where you came into this world.

Swim strong, mermaid
Sing to the moon, to the waves, to the stars
Laugh forever, to wipe away our tears
You were one of kind, one I'll never meet again