Thursday, January 12, 2017

Inessential Things by Brian Patten

My silky kitty, Garfield, in one of his favorite spots.


Inessential Things
What do cats remember of days?
They remember the ways in from the cold,
The warmest spot, the place of food.
They remember the places of pain, their enemies,
the irritation of birds, the warm fumes of the soil,
the usefulness of dust.
They remember the creak of a bed, the sound
of their owner´s footsteps,
the taste of fish, the loveliness of cream.
Cats remember what is essential of days.
Letting all other memories go as of no worth
they sleep sounder than we,
whose hearts break remembering so many
inessential things. 
© Brian Patten

3 comments:

Kelly said...

I love everything about this poem. (as well as the photo of your sweet kitty)

Chrisy said...

So true...let's try and focus on the 'essential' things....

Marion said...

Thank you, Kelly! Who can't love a cat poem? xo

Yes, Chrisy, easier for cats, I think! Ha! xo