MEOW OF MYSELF, from LEAVES OF CATNIP
by Walt Whitman's cat (as told to Siggy, who agrees with every word)

I situate myself and seat myself,
And where you recline I shall recline,
For every armchair belonging to you as good as belongs to me.

I loaf and curl up my tail,
I yawn and loaf at my ease after rolling in the catnip patch

2
Who naps there, rummaging, sly, whimsical, cute;
How is it I extract strength from the mice I eat?

What is a cat, anyhow? why am I one? why aren't you?

3
I utter the cat-sound primeval. I give the meow of the democratic kitty,
I bathe in America's copious dust,
I sip cool water from her flowerpots and toilet bowls.

I lick myself, there is a lot of me and all so luscious.
Each mealtime and whatever happens to drop from the table fills me with joy.

Behold the day-break!
I awaken you by sitting on your chest and purring in your face,
I stir you with muscular paw-prods, I rouse you with toe-bites.
Meowmie, you have slept enough, why don't you get up?

I berate myself for the climb that took me from the grass I love,
If you want me again, look for me above your hat-brim.

You can never know where I am or what I am,
But I am good company to you nonetheless,
And really do regret breaking your inkwell.

Failing to find me at first keep looking,
Missing me one place search another,
I sit up here waiting for you to come and carry me down.

Yes, Siggy, you were one of a kind. We miss you.
Meowmie Gwen, Grandma Beverly and Unca Leo



Mrs. Wiggles and her daughter Pouncer are sadly missed Patty, Mr. D.P. and Gar



God's Garden

God looked around his garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arm around you
And lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough,
And the hills were hard to climb
So he closed your eyelids,
And whispered "Peace be thine"
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn't go alone
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.





May I Go?

May I go now?
Do you think the time is right
May I say good-bye to pain-filled days
and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first,
I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.
I want to go.
I really do.
It's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day,
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and so afraid,
because I see your tears.
I'll not be far,
I promise that, and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you,
wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me.
You know I love you too.
That's why it's hard to say good-bye
and end this life with you
So hold me now, just one more time
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today

Susan A. Jackson