Ode to Tabitha

Ode to Tabitha

by Larry Himes, Reston, Virginia, USA

You were just a kitten,
sitting in your shelter cage,
beside your sweet young mama
(perhaps 2 years of age).

Since two I sought to rescue,
this pair was right for me.
Adoption papers I filled out,
and brought you home with me.

I called your mom Samantha,
you - Tabitha - I named.
and hoped your witching wiles
would not make you ill-famed.

Throughout that first year in Falls Church,
you grew and grew and grew,
and mama got her weight back,
eating good old "kitty stew".

Then in 1992
we left our quiet cul-de-sac,
moved to Reston all at once,
and never did look back.

Sharon joined our family
and you and mama did agree,
a nicer human never lived
than this sweet, dear Ms. Kennedy.

For 2 years all was peaceful,
though pet rats made you think twice.
"What are these people doing,
adopting giant mice?"

But Samantha was a roamer,
a fault you do not share.
And her roaming took her from us,
to heaven's rarefied air.

Since her passing, we have known
two other cats as friends.
Ink is sweet and loving,
while Smoke gives us the bends!

At this stage in our life-times,
I feel a special bond with thee,
for we are close in relative age,
8 years for you, 50 for me.

And soon you will pass by me
on your way to what awaits,
though we should have many years yet,
'ere we stand before the Gates.

And whatever yet befalls us,
remember to the end,
you will always be forever,
my dearest feline friend.

Editor's note:

This was Larry's first-ever poem, written on Feb. 27, 1999
If you want to comment on this article, why not write direct to Larry Himes?
He will be pleased to hear from you!

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