Candlewitch
Candlewitch
Mar 21, 2023

A New Hole (by Steven, Cats Husband)

A new hole appeared in my life today.
I said goodbye to my companion, Shadow.
This hole is where I played with her.
This hole is where I cared for her.
Now this hole is just an empty aching void.
I know, with time, the edges will creep
Slowly towards the center,
As the rest of my life slowly oozes in.
The ache will dull and fond memories return.
But for now, all I am is emptiness and pain.

About This Poem

Last Few Words: our cat, Shadow wet to the vet to be euthanized yesterday. she had kidney failure and bad liver problems. she has been in our family for a great number of her years and was very well loved. it is hard to let go but even harder to hold on to one who is in great pain and distress. this poem was written by my Steven, yesterday.

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Direction: What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft

About the Author

Region, Country: Northwestern Wisconsin USA, USA

Favorite Poets: Edgar Allan Poe

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More from this author

Comments

Rosewood Apothecary

Losing pets is the worst because they tend to be unconditional in they’re emotional output. I’m really sorry to hear about Shadow. That’s a cool name. I bet she was awesome.

Sorry again
Tim

Candlewitch

Thanks for the message. She was a special kitty. She was a rescue that we adopted when the cousin of a friend of mine died. She didn't fit in well with our other four cats, but I cherished the time that I spent with her.

Steve

Geezer

no small number of pets over the years, I certainly can relate. It is very hard to watch a beloved pet suffer and have to have them euthanized. I held my Rugby while... anyway, this is very well written by a grieving pet parent. May your memories of Shadow always be present, and the pleasure of having had such a wonderful companion never exceeded. Sorry for your loss. Your title is great, it made me want to see what the poem is about, the language use is good, and lends itself well to the rhythm and sedate pace. The theme is one that anyone with a heart for a pet will recognize and it went smoothly from beginning to end. Nicely done! ~ Geezer.
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Candlewitch

I've talked with a number of people that have had to euthanize their pets. The emotions are the same across the board. Some people might ask why we put ourselves through that, but those people have never felt the joy that a pet can give.

Thanks for the critique of the poem, itself. It gives me something to think about when (notice it is not "if") I write the next one.
Steve

Jackweb

This piece has made me to have a flash back of the past. Years back in the village we had a cat named ''Sly'. She was loved by everyone around our vicinity. Whenever she was pregnant everyone would like to pay in advance in order to retain the same specie. The first day she gave birth was on my bed early morning. LoL! Cat is one of my favorite pet ever!
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RoseBlack

We had one of our cats put down in the beginning of February and it truly left a huge hole in our hearts. Our pets are unique and special to us because they are ours and part of our family. A beautiful tribute to your Shadow.

Candlewitch

It helps when there are others with whom you can share this sad event. We appreciate the caring comments from all Cat's Neo friends.

Steve

D

I’m so sorry for your suffering and bereavement I won’t judge the poem as it speaks from your heart how your hearts are in pain right now. God bless you both and God bless Shadow in heaven now love John

Unca Fez

Thank you for your kind words. My daily routine has still not recovered from the loss of Shadow. It is, however, starting to be replaced with other tasks and lessons relating to the two we just adopted: Phoenix and Miko.

Feel free to comment upon the poem. I am always open to constructive criticism.

Ruby Lord

Have you realised how touching these two lines are and did they make you stop and catch your breath?

I know, with time, the edges will creep
Slowly towards the center,

You caught mine.

Maybe the repetition of 'slowly' in lines 7 and 8, needs a review?

Unca Fez

This was one of those poems that wrote itself. I was just the fingers typing. I think that, for me, that is the way poetry is going to be. I've written six poems. Three of them took days to write. Two turned out pretty good. The other, in my opinion, is mediocre. Of the other three, two have been posted here on Candlewitch's page: this one, and "Weep...". The third is "A Cat's Life (for Benny)" posted on my page. These last three are in the category of "writing themselves". It took less than an hour to write each of them. I was just the fingers typing. I'm not sure where poems like that come from, but when they show up, I am in awe.

So, thank you for your appreciative comments from me and whoever is writing through me.

Ruby Lord

I'm jealous, wish I had the magic of those mysterious fingers typing for me. I write a poem, get excited and have to deliver it instead of taking a step back and letting it rest for a while. Patience has never been my strong point, another skill I have to learn. I read your Cats Life, I enjoyed it and I think I made a comment? Take care, Ruby :)

Geezer

it happens like that for me too. Some of my pieces just flow out from under my two fingered typing, some of them are like my brain has to contact my fingers and there is a delay of minutes, hours or even days. I can't figure it either. I like what you have here and I couldn't have said it better. ~ Geez.
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Seren

Seren

1 year 11 months ago

I can only say I am so sorry.

Beautifully written & poignantly breaking my heart

Love Lilbit