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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.

Style / type: 
Free verse
Review Request (Intensity): 
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
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?
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.
Editing stage: 
Content level: 
Not Explicit Content

Comments

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

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

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author comment

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.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

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

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

author comment

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!
.

"By virtue of creativity, my literary genre is poetry".

~Jackweb

Thank you for your caring message. I can picture the event on your bed. It must have thrilled you.

Steve

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

author comment

"the edges will slowly toward rhe center as the rest of my life oozes in"
God thats good

Thanks. I've no idea where the line came from. It just sort of popped into my head. Usually, it's pretty empty except for Python code and test plans. LOL

Steve

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

author comment

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.

~RoseBlack~

They are our children. They live in our hearts, so, when they are gone, it hurts. I sympathize with your loss, as well.

Steve

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

author comment

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

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

author comment

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

thank you John. your words of comfort are appreciated.

*love, Cat

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

author comment

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.

Thanx,
Steve

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?

Give and grow - let's raise our verses together. I'm happy to comment on your work and appreciate a comment on mine.

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.

Thanx,
Steve

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 :)

Give and grow - let's raise our verses together. I'm happy to comment on your work and appreciate a comment on mine.

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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There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

I can only say I am so sorry.

Beautifully written & poignantly breaking my heart

Love Lilbit

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” — W.B. Yeats

Thank you. It's always hard when losing a family member.

Thanx,
Steve

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