| "I Remember Callie" |
| Written by Greg Berry | |
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This poem was written in memory of my beautiful calico cat, Miss Callie, who died May 3, 2010 after a long battle with diabetes. She was sixteen years old. Her death was very difficult for me to deal with, and I began to jot down all the special, funny things I wanted to remember about her. So I decided to write an "I remember" poem that would capture all these fond memories of my special pet companion. I Remember Callie . . . I remember Miss Callie, my pretty girl. I remember when you first came to me, you hid under the bed for two days. I remember your soft, comforting purr. your beautiful, bright green eyes. I remember you waiting anxiously for me to wake up in the morning, Meowing a little when I slept too long. I remember you sitting on my desk next to me while I worked, Making a mess of all the papers on top. I remember after packing for a trip, I found you sitting on top of the suitcase, As if you didn’t want me to leave without you. I remember you jumping up on the dresser next to the closet To help me pick out clothes for the day, Sniffing carefully at a pair of pants or a shirt. I remember how much you loved tuna fish, You could smell it as soon as I opened the can, You meowed and meowed until I gave you a spoonful. I remember your beautiful, soft, white belly. And how you often followed me around the house, the yard, Sometimes down to the mailbox, My little buddy, always making sure I was all right. I remember how you would pat me on the leg with your paw When I walked by. I remember how much you loved your crunchy treats. And how you loved your hiding spots in the bushes, And I still see you there on warm days. I remember you racing through the house as if someone was chasing you. how you loved watching the birds and chattering at them. I remember how you meowed for your dinner every night, All of your life. How you loved your food! I remember how you hated firecrackers and thunder, Hiding under the bed until it was over. I remember how you loved cardboard boxes, Jumping inside them and curling up, Even trying to squeeze yourself into one way too small. I remember when you climbed up into the dogwood tree, Out onto a tiny branch, then finally falling, landing in the yard, And racing away, as if you were embarrassed. I remember how the doorbell or a knock on the door Made your ears perk up and your eyes wide. I remember how comfortable you were sleeping on your head. And how you loved finding new hiding spots, Especially inside drawers or closets. I remember how sad you were when I scolded you. I remember how much you hated the vacuum cleaner, and hissed at it. And the time when you got a piece of grass stuck in your nose, You sneezed and sneezed until I pulled it out. I remember you sitting on the table at the window, Waiting for me to come home. I knew you were saying, “Where have you been?” I remember when you found a snake in the hedge by the patio, You climbed all the way in after it, until only your tail was sticking out. I remember how much you loved lying on my shoes, or next to them Your chin resting on top. I remember your beautiful, soft coat, brilliant calico. And how you loved to talk to me and tell me all your thoughts. I remember how you loved to play with shoelaces, jumping and chasing them. I remember you sitting next to me at the dinner table Hoping you might get a bite. Sometimes you did. I remember how you communicated so expressively with your tail. And the kitty paw prints on my car windshield. I remember how much you loved getting your chin scratched. I remember how you were always happy, As long as you were somewhere near me. I remember how much you loved to roll around in the middle of the road, On the warm, rough pavement. I remember how much you loved summertime, Lying in the warm grass or the cool shade. I remember how you loved your little world here, And how happy we were together for all those years. I remember how you came up the back steps more slowly, As the years went on. I remember how hard you fought to hold on at the end, And the dogwood bloomed a gorgeous pink As if to celebrate your life. I remember how hard it was to say goodbye. I remember how much you loved me, And think of how I will always love you And miss you so much, A furry angel, a gift sent to me, my Callie. I will always remember Miss Callie. --Greg Berry             |
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