The house by the road
stands empty
of you
in the sunset light
The road echoes
to the memory
of your feet and dance
and laughter
The machair sighs
under the winds
of this world
where the sea roils ashore
Your feet still tread
Your happiness lingers
The marram grass rustles
to the tunes you made
She who knows all
is at the Window on the West
for when you return
you'll never be apart again
Showing posts with label cats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cats. Show all posts
January 2020
I was thinking of you today
when I met you, all those years ago
in the sunset
along the lonely road
You took me in
in total trust
and confidence
that I would not betray
We talked
as the sun set
and darkness rose
into the March night
She who knows all
was by your side
only young then
much wiser now
In the wee town
we met again
and for a final time
for music and song
You disappeared
through the thronged door
never for me to see you
again
Your music remains
as does your memory
I know you're there
when times are hard
She who knows all
patiently waits
at the Window on the West
for your eventual return
when I met you, all those years ago
in the sunset
along the lonely road
You took me in
in total trust
and confidence
that I would not betray
We talked
as the sun set
and darkness rose
into the March night
She who knows all
was by your side
only young then
much wiser now
In the wee town
we met again
and for a final time
for music and song
You disappeared
through the thronged door
never for me to see you
again
Your music remains
as does your memory
I know you're there
when times are hard
She who knows all
patiently waits
at the Window on the West
for your eventual return
Sophia 2019
It was your birthday
a month ago
the second one
outwith your life
The first full year
you were no longer there
as your memory
lightens up our days
The Window on the West
is empty now
the roads are quiet
no dancing feet
The machair is lifeless
in austere winter colours
no footsteps
on its bouncy grass
We remember your voice
we remember the joy
with which you met life
and all its challenges
She who knows all
carries your memory
carries your character
and is still waiting
Waiting for the day
when your smile
will come striding
down the path
To collect
your faithful companion
of latter years
to go across the Rainbow Bridge
a month ago
the second one
outwith your life
The first full year
you were no longer there
as your memory
lightens up our days
The Window on the West
is empty now
the roads are quiet
no dancing feet
The machair is lifeless
in austere winter colours
no footsteps
on its bouncy grass
We remember your voice
we remember the joy
with which you met life
and all its challenges
She who knows all
carries your memory
carries your character
and is still waiting
Waiting for the day
when your smile
will come striding
down the path
To collect
your faithful companion
of latter years
to go across the Rainbow Bridge
Eayst
It's about sending the moon to protect and guide a loved one far away. On this night of such a glorious full moon, how could I not share it?
Sophia's words accompanying her recording of the song Eayst (Moon), partly sung in Manx Gaelic.
I keep coming back to it. Because, reading it properly this evening, it haunts me. I'd like to believe that Sophia sends the moon to protect and guide us, far away from her now. The image that goes with her Soundcoud profile shows her in 2013, with a very young Torran on her arm. I know Torran is very lovingly taken care of now, until the time comes that she will be collected by Sophia to cross the Rainbow Bridge. And they'll be reunited, never to be separated again.
Sophia's words accompanying her recording of the song Eayst (Moon), partly sung in Manx Gaelic.
I keep coming back to it. Because, reading it properly this evening, it haunts me. I'd like to believe that Sophia sends the moon to protect and guide us, far away from her now. The image that goes with her Soundcoud profile shows her in 2013, with a very young Torran on her arm. I know Torran is very lovingly taken care of now, until the time comes that she will be collected by Sophia to cross the Rainbow Bridge. And they'll be reunited, never to be separated again.
A year on
A year ago
as that darkening month
wound to a windlashed
close
Friends from all over
headed west over sea,
if the wind did allow,
to remember
In writing, song and poetry
your music, dance and laughter
From the other land by the sea
where you first saw life
We read profound words
in knowing that you live on
not in a physical sense
but in memory
It has been many a year
since we last saw each other
in a crowded bar
in a darkened home
Others met you since
and shared, unwittingly,
the same experience
unforgettable, and profound
As winter winds lash
and the sun barely shines
Your smile, music and memories
remain with me
She that knows all
waits still
in the Window on the West
for the day when you return
as that darkening month
wound to a windlashed
close
Friends from all over
headed west over sea,
if the wind did allow,
to remember
In writing, song and poetry
your music, dance and laughter
From the other land by the sea
where you first saw life
We read profound words
in knowing that you live on
not in a physical sense
but in memory
It has been many a year
since we last saw each other
in a crowded bar
in a darkened home
Others met you since
and shared, unwittingly,
the same experience
unforgettable, and profound
As winter winds lash
and the sun barely shines
Your smile, music and memories
remain with me
She that knows all
waits still
in the Window on the West
for the day when you return
Unanswered
So many questions
left unanswered
but that is fine
I'll never know
I'm happy
to have known you
I'm wistful
for what did not happen for you
The wishes
left unfulfilled
the long nights
of what might have been
I'm happy you were happy
with cats, and songs and words
cats of yesteryear
you have now been reunited with
What happened to Torran
we all know
what happened to Faili
I may never know
In the sunshine you lived
livening up the afternoons
for those listening
on An Radio 105
You left us
in peace
quietly
in the night
So many questions
left unanswered
swim strong, mermaid
I can still hear your voice
left unanswered
but that is fine
I'll never know
I'm happy
to have known you
I'm wistful
for what did not happen for you
The wishes
left unfulfilled
the long nights
of what might have been
I'm happy you were happy
with cats, and songs and words
cats of yesteryear
you have now been reunited with
What happened to Torran
we all know
what happened to Faili
I may never know
In the sunshine you lived
livening up the afternoons
for those listening
on An Radio 105
You left us
in peace
quietly
in the night
So many questions
left unanswered
swim strong, mermaid
I can still hear your voice
Full circle
The year's well-nigh full circle
Autumn's weighing us down once more
I have thought of you quite often
since you slipped away beyond the sea
I'm happy you were happy
doing what you did each day each week
your smile lighting up the little isle
and the beaches machair and the sea
Your voice lives on in all our minds
retained on-line for posterity
although it is stilled for good
we can remember you as if still there
You welcomed me into your home
the little cottage on the narrow road
talking into the darkness of
those cold but beautiful March nights
We shared a love of music
of the environment of these isles
a penchant for words and phrases
and for cats, black or whatever colour
Torran is still waiting, happy where she is
I know she misses you
not knowing where you went
you will meet again, one day, many moons from now
We parted after an evening of music
not knowing it was to be for good
It was touch and go - a hug and kiss
and off into the night you went
I'll always picture you 'front my mind's eye
in the sunshine of that March evening
flooding in through the Window of the West
with little Torran by your side
Swim strong, Sophia
Under the stars beyond this world
Sing on, Sophia, forever more
We'll meet again, when the time comes
Autumn's weighing us down once more
I have thought of you quite often
since you slipped away beyond the sea
I'm happy you were happy
doing what you did each day each week
your smile lighting up the little isle
and the beaches machair and the sea
Your voice lives on in all our minds
retained on-line for posterity
although it is stilled for good
we can remember you as if still there
You welcomed me into your home
the little cottage on the narrow road
talking into the darkness of
those cold but beautiful March nights
We shared a love of music
of the environment of these isles
a penchant for words and phrases
and for cats, black or whatever colour
Torran is still waiting, happy where she is
I know she misses you
not knowing where you went
you will meet again, one day, many moons from now
We parted after an evening of music
not knowing it was to be for good
It was touch and go - a hug and kiss
and off into the night you went
I'll always picture you 'front my mind's eye
in the sunshine of that March evening
flooding in through the Window of the West
with little Torran by your side
Swim strong, Sophia
Under the stars beyond this world
Sing on, Sophia, forever more
We'll meet again, when the time comes
Memories
Memories are evocative
Evoked by the merest hint
An image of an open fire
reminded me of you
I laid this one
the last night
I was with you
all those moons ago
The fireguard is up
and I kept it there
I felt your warmth
even after I left
I remember, once
you came to my door
but there was no place
and you went away
I sometimes listen
to your recorded voice
your beloved songs
even in Manx Gaelic
The wind whistles
it calls your name
the Atlantic thunders
laps onto the shores you walked
Eleven months ago
you swam away
under the northern stars
that had become your home
She that knows all
plays in her new forever home
awaiting your return
and come back... you will
Equinox
We've passed the equinox
the days are shorter than the nights
summer has gone
autumnal introspection is here
I see your spirit
I still hear your voice
your cat plays
you're with her still
Wherever you are
wherever your cats are
your music lives on
as does your smile
The time comes near
just six weeks from now
when the year will have
turned full circle
It was under Canopus' lamp
watched over by Orion
that you swam away
into the night
At the Window on the West
she plays, carrying your spirit
Your music lives on
in all of us
the days are shorter than the nights
summer has gone
autumnal introspection is here
I see your spirit
I still hear your voice
your cat plays
you're with her still
Wherever you are
wherever your cats are
your music lives on
as does your smile
The time comes near
just six weeks from now
when the year will have
turned full circle
It was under Canopus' lamp
watched over by Orion
that you swam away
into the night
At the Window on the West
she plays, carrying your spirit
Your music lives on
in all of us
Gormenghast
As the nights draw in
a memory emerges
strangely enough
of Gormenghast
Your name
for the capital
of ancient
Scotland
Oh, loth you were
to leave behind
your companions
on the croft
Torran
feral Faili
Spooky the black tom
roaming your haunt
As you roamed
the towers and turrets
of teeming hordes
in Gormenghast
Little were you to know
that you'd one day leave
leaving Torran
to look for you
The Window on the West
is now empty
She's still looking
searching
Not knowing that
you're in the air
she's breathing
in every breath
a memory emerges
strangely enough
of Gormenghast
Your name
for the capital
of ancient
Scotland
Oh, loth you were
to leave behind
your companions
on the croft
Torran
feral Faili
Spooky the black tom
roaming your haunt
As you roamed
the towers and turrets
of teeming hordes
in Gormenghast
Little were you to know
that you'd one day leave
leaving Torran
to look for you
The Window on the West
is now empty
She's still looking
searching
Not knowing that
you're in the air
she's breathing
in every breath
Cats
Whenever I think of you
I think of cats
usually
black
Torran I met
She was distraught
when you
never came back
I don't know
what happened to
Faili after
you left Uist
Spooky
stayed behind
after
you left Tigharry
Torran will always
be at
The Window on the West
waiting for you
I think of cats
usually
black
Torran I met
She was distraught
when you
never came back
I don't know
what happened to
Faili after
you left Uist
Spooky
stayed behind
after
you left Tigharry
Torran will always
be at
The Window on the West
waiting for you
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]
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 and Torran
The night grew dark
as the cold wind blew
a star winked low
in the west
On the prowl
in the lands of grass
a pounce on
an unsuspecting vole
The window
was closed
the room was dark
never to be lit again
You did not know
why the world grew still
only the cold wind blew
on that darkened night
No call would come
no hand would reach
to open the window
on the west
Others became that hand
a kind but unfamiliar house
the window closed
the fading scent
At night you look out
By day you await
For the returning face
that'll never come
(Sophia's cat Torran was taken in by a friend, but is still looking out for her return...)
as the cold wind blew
a star winked low
in the west
On the prowl
in the lands of grass
a pounce on
an unsuspecting vole
The window
was closed
the room was dark
never to be lit again
You did not know
why the world grew still
only the cold wind blew
on that darkened night
No call would come
no hand would reach
to open the window
on the west
Others became that hand
a kind but unfamiliar house
the window closed
the fading scent
At night you look out
By day you await
For the returning face
that'll never come
(Sophia's cat Torran was taken in by a friend, but is still looking out for her return...)
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