Every now and then
Six Pack has a bad trip.
Asleep on my shoulder
he sees his past and flips.
Body trembling, he hides
beneath the sofa.
Closet cat, badly abused
It took 6 months before a man
could touch him, and not regret it.
He’d been given street drugs.
Now even anesthetics at the vet
make him wig out.
He’s a poly-dactyl
with six toes on each foot.
He knows how to use them;
I caught him at the bathroom sink
trying to turn the faucet on.
Now I leave the toilet seat up.
Curled fetal in shafts of sunlight
he is adored beyond all reason.
My nurse when I am sick,
my buddy every day,
a shoulder when I cry,
the best of all best friends,
and the true love of my life.
Men are great,
but cats are forever.
Author notes
Written September 28th, 2006
A contest entry
- Poems About Pets by psychiatrists dream.
450 points, ended December 10, 2007, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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lovely poem, well written, thanks for enetering and good luck!
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I agree, cats are forever, they stay in the memory much more fondly than people sometimes. I had a six toe cat - double paws was what we called it back then, he was one of those cats that shows up at the back door and never leaves. Rusty was always an outside cat, he preferred to sleep under the porch and we could pet him but he was always shy of being held - i think he was ferral and only lived a year longer, but it was a happy year...i think we were his retirement home from years of alley fights and near death experiences. A lovely poem, look what memories it brought back.
blessings and best wishes,
~r.
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Awww.... poor Six-Pack. I'm so glad he found such a patient and loving owner who understands that change is not an instantaneous things.
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Hey!
I really love this poem. Really describes Six-Pack's life well. How can you not love that cat? He's so adorable and who can't resist a poly-dactyl! Loved it a lot!
~Sarah~
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Hi Sarah,
Yeah, he's great, isn't he?
I'm glad you enjoyed the poem, and I will be sure and tell "Watson" you liked it also. 
Love ya!
~Aunt J.
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i too have a poly-dactyl. her name is TOED. we couldn't agree on a name for her and kept saying 6 toed cat and she started answering! not a pretty name but she is a beautiful cat, what my vet said is a tortoise shell. she was a stray we rescued and she knew how to use her claws even as a kitten. now she is like your sixpack, loving and adoring.
i love this poem. i'm glad you rescued sixpack. cats are dear friends as you've stated. i enjoyed reading this. God bless you
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Hi debilynn,
Oh! My sister has a tortoise shell cat too, rescued as a stray also. They are indeed beautiful cats. "Toed" is certainly an unusual name, but then most people think "Six Pack" is pretty strange.
Thanks so much for reading this; I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Best wishes,
~J.
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aww that's cute! sometimes i feel my dog is my best friend too!
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Jeannie,
I appreciate the comment and am glad you enjoyed the poem. I have more experience with abused animals than people who've been abused, but neither has ever made sense to me. Animals, like children, are so defenseless and it tears my heart out to see either mistreated. Thank you for reading!
~J. -
Gaylene,
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Six Pack and I will probably split a glass of milk to celebrate!
All the best,
~J. -
Awesome write!! How the hell anyone can abuse a defenseless animal (or person) is beyond me. Congratulations on the win!! Bravo!!
Jeannie D Hunter
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Such a truly beautiful poem. Brought tears to my eyes. I am so glad Six Pack has such a loving home now. It makes me wonder about the human race when they can so abuse our animals who give nothing but their unconditional love.
I loved your poem and it truly deserves gold. Congratulations
Gaylene
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Just wanted to say hello, I am Marilee
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Thank you for the very kind comment. Six Pack has been a part of our family for about 10 years now, and except for those times he sees "ghosts" I don't think he even remembers his previous life. We recently inherited a dog who has also been abused, and it's amazing how far he's come in a short time with a little love and attention. This poem might not be the most brilliant thing I've ever written, but Six Pack seemed to like it and that's good enough for me.
Thanks again,
~J. -
Great poem which flowed well. It showed a lot of love for your cat, he looks very similar to mine by the way. Good luck in the contest, I hope it’s not the cat lover one I entered- if so I’m sure I won’t win against your talent
This was quite a sad poem, I’m sorry that he’s lived such a sad life but at least he has you now Keep writing, this was a great personal poem for you and your cat
All the best
Pozo
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df,
Amen to that!
Thank you for the comment and best of luck with your contest.
~J. -
trista,
Thank you for your entry. It speaks volumes of the human condition. If a small animal can remember horrors in its past, how careful we must be with the memories of our own kind.
Good luck in the contest,
df
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