White Cat Ascendant
In the corner you quietly sleep -
curled up -
fur ball of white -
Old Lady of the Household -
Companion of Ancient Days -
Familiar to this Magus -
Dear Friend of this Greybeard -
Fellow Sojourner of the Harte -
You rest quietly in your corner -
Your days are nearly accomplished -
Blessings Be, Honoured Wise One -
You who have lived 20 years -
Long years for a cat -
I sit here -
and remember -
Days long gone -
in a household of a different time and place -
You and your companion The Lady Ginger -
Young you were -
Tiny kits -
Snuggled together -
Happily in my lap -
Ginger ascended a few years ago -
So did Koko, Sandy, Babette, Katie, Brandie,
Sammie, Laddie, Freya, Skipper…..
I know as I sit here I’ve forgotten some names
and faces.
Forgive me.
You outlasted all of your Friends.
Now - at long delayed last - it’s your time…..
Gaea -
One of your daughter’s may soon be coming home.
Bast -
She likes her kibble, meat, and saucers of water and milk.
She likes a quiet lap.
She likes to be brushed and snuggled.
I hold her and she snuggles in my beard.
She learned that from Babette.
Lord & Lady -
a Familiar is going off-duty.
I sit here.
I keyboard here and feel the emptiness already.
I’ve seen this coming for months.
She’s not sick.
She’s not hurt.
She’s just so very, very old.
Old Age kills.
How do you do a protest march against Old Age?
You don’t.
You let Gaea and Bast do what needs to be done.
and you remember -
the little kit -
asleep in your lap……
Travel well, M’Lady Patty-Cat.
Your Tour-Of-Duty is almost over.
You did a very good job, M’Lady.
You have been an exceptionally good Familiar.
So thus it was -
So thus it is -
So thus it be….
Blessings Be, Patty.
Blessings Be.
You honoured us all by being here.
You Stand Relieved.
Carry On….
G. Brad Harte
-appearing as-
Paganus Greybeard