First draft of new poem I wrote called "Temporal"

[mrmonk]

***UPDATE ON MOVE***To those who graciously responded to my since deleted post about my housing dilemma, I'm happy to report that I have secured an apartment in New Hampshire and will be moving in next month! My gratitude to everyone who offered advice; it was so helpful and encouraging...thank you!***END OF UPDATE***

*

Hello everyone. I'm in the process of moving from Florida to New Hampshire, applying for apartments from out-of-state with no credit history, and have been so beaten down by rejection after rejection, or simply by not being quick enough.

I feel demoralized, dispirited, despairing, and more than a little bit frightened.

So, to keep desperation at bay, I think (as I always do) of my cat. I'm a poet and one of the poems that's been idling in my head mainly concerns her and I wrote a very rough first draft during the interminable waits between apartment applications and virtual showings.

Bearing in mind that the final draft will likely read quite differently, I would like to share this piece of my heart with you all if you'll have it. The poem is called "Temporal" and can be found on my Wordpress page here:

poemsinprogress.wordpress.c...

Since this is a partly-sad, cat-centric poem about love and loss, and I don't want to be a total downer, I invite everyone to fill this thread with joyous, playful, silly, darling cat videos and pictures, be they of your own special feline friend or just something you found on the Internet. 😺😸😼🐱😹😽😻🐱‍💻🐱‍👓🐱‍🏍🐱‍👤🐱‍🐉🐈

[Nothing_but_books]

youtube.com/watch?v=Q34z5dC...(Not working as expected?)

[Nothing_but_books]

youtube.com/watch?v=_kgRFHa...(Not working as expected?)

[mrmonk in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Absolutely love it! That kitten was me at age six or so. Gotta post the split-screen side-to-side version, too:

youtu.be/M3-fpDDJAgY(Not working as expected?)

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mrmonk]

Much better! Did you do that?

[mrmonk in reply to Nothing_but_books]

No, can't take credit for that genius...🙀

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mrmonk]

Really? At age six?

I think I was nine or ten. Do you remember the Friday night Creature Feature? I was home alone. My parents were out late, and I sat on the davenport (haven't remembered that word in ages) and watched. I must admit, I didn't understand one bit of the epilogue. When Mom and Dad arrived home there was a test pattern on the TV set. I was curled up in a fetal position, trembling.

We visited a motel a year later, and I wouldn't go anywhere near the shower. He-he-he.

Don't remember Bloch had anything to do with the taxidermy. "Perched upon a bust of Pallas". Ya. Bet that was all Hitch.

Funny I should think of Athena just now. There was a woman I used to communicate with, here at HU, a while back. I think you called her fierce.

[mrmonk in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Six or thereabouts, yes.

As a child, I do remember some kind of Creature Feature program that aired on Saturday afternoons. I also remember seeing the Creature Feature program hosted by "Dr. Paul Bearer" when we first moved down to Florida.

I think maybe you're referring to Elliott_Woods -- a strong individual and ally -- I remember she wanted to help you.

[Dolphin14]

Mr Monk:

Nice to see you are writing . Poets express their emotions. You are very gifted.

Florida to New Hampshire??? Shall I get you a snow shovel for a house warming gift?

❤️🐬

[mrmonk in reply to Dolphin14]

Thank you, this poem just needed to surface sooner than later, I suppose.

Yeah, New Hampshire won out over Massachusetts and New York, ultimately.

And I'm making sure that wherever I apply, the landlord takes care of snow removal. I don't drive, so no digging out frozen automobiles for me!

I hope you and yours are well.

[Dolphin14 in reply to mrmonk]

Glad you found an area that suits you. It's pretty there. The air is so fresh and clean. Great idea securing that snow removal. You can just hunker down and enjoy the snow. There is too much stress when you have to get a car unburied to get to work on time. You won't have to deal with that.

All good here. Spending time with my granddaughter. I often read your poem and think of how sad I was. You understood 100%. Will never forget how thoughtful and kind you were during my struggle

❤️🐬

[mrmonk in reply to Dolphin14]

😺

[mrmonk in reply to Dolphin14]

It's been a long time since I lived up north, but couldn't one just hire a private company for snow removal, anyway?

[Dolphin14 in reply to mrmonk]

Yes, you can do that. A lot of apartments have that service. I'm still moving snow. I use it as a form of exercise.

When is the moving day?

❤️🐬

[mrmonk in reply to Dolphin14]

I always hear about people having heart attacks while shoveling snow, and I'm out of shape beyond repair, so I think I'll opt for milder exercise myself. 🙀

Still no apartment yet, so who knows when moving day will be...though it has to be before October 1 because that is when the owner of the home in which I'm currently staying says I have to leave because she has a guest coming to visit then. At that point, I will be officially homeless.

[Dolphin14 in reply to mrmonk]

Oh no.... I hope that doesn't happen.

❤️🐬

[mrmonk in reply to Dolphin14]

Me neither.

[Dolphin14 in reply to mrmonk]

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mrmonk]

A remote starter for the car is a very nice thing I hear.

[Isinatra]

Ah! New Hampshire. A lovely destination.

[mrmonk in reply to Isinatra]

Indeed! And with any luck, it'll be home soon. 😺

[Isinatra in reply to mrmonk]

🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[Hb2003]

Love the poem ☺️ and congrats on your move

[mrmonk in reply to Hb2003]

Thank you, Hiba 😺 Fingers crossed the move will go as planned 🤞 Hope you are doing well.

[Hb2003 in reply to mrmonk]

Your welcome 🙏☺️ I am crossing my fingers 🤞 for you . I am doing ok at the moment

[No1wthayla]

Wonderful poem, mrmonk. I could feel the movement and emotion in your words. Your struggle to adjust to loss. It reminds me of losing my cat Ralphie in November last year. He was so sick. I miss him every day and still say his name. I think of him often even after "lives Drain away, trickle to a silence."

Lovely words that touch my heart. Thank you for sharking mrmonk!

[mrmonk in reply to No1wthayla]

First, I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved Ralphie. I just visited your post about him -- such a dear.

Second -- in the words of a timeless poet I admire -- my "heart leaps up" to hear that you could feel the movement, struggle, and emotion in my poem.

I couldn't ask for more from a reader and I am so very grateful.

[No1wthayla in reply to mrmonk]

Such beautiful words! Thank you.

Ralphie is always going to be with me. He was a true gem, and had a demanding personality. If he wanted something, you better believe he was going to bug you until you gave it to him.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to No1wthayla]

You don't know until you experience it. I am so sorry for your loss. It's terrible seeing our friends sick and not being able to take the hurt away.

[No1wthayla in reply to Nothing_but_books]

The last three days were a roller coaster ride with him. He rode on my shoulder and I still feel him there. Going to get a tattoo of him there. A portrait in black and white.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to No1wthayla]

I know exactly what you mean about demanding. My bird will get what she wants, or she will wait -- and then get what she wants. Tick-tick-tick means "or else".

You don't need the tattoo for yourself. He will be with you without outside reminders. Hopefully the happy, special memories will overwrite the sad.

[Hidden]

Just Wow thank you for sharing this with us mrmonk that was a great read

[mrmonk in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much; praise from a gifted fellow poet is always more than welcome!

Have you written any new poems recently?

[Hidden in reply to mrmonk]

Yes I have, I have been meaning to share a few on here. Will probably post one tomorrow after school

[Elisson]

Beautiful poem. Feeling all the words….incredible. Thank you for sharing.

[mrmonk in reply to Elisson]

Thanks so much, Elisson! I love how reciprocal poetry is -- all the words spring from feeling and you feel all the words -- language is the true tie that binds.

I see you joined HealthUnlocked just recently, so welcome to this supportive community!😺

[mrmonk]

I'm a fan of OwlKitty:youtu.be/WavYF1O9pTs(Not working as expected?)

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mrmonk]

Oh my gosh you got me! I'm crying like mad.

I expected "OwlKitty" to be some crazy new music group with an electronic rhythm.

This is one of the most beautiful videos I've ever seen! Thank you!

[mrmonk in reply to Nothing_but_books]

The creators of the channel also upload "behind-the-scenes" footage of how they edit OwlKitty into various movies. It's a hoot.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mrmonk]

Thanks.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mrmonk]

This one?

youtube.com/watch?v=gF-JN4f...(Not working as expected?)

[mrmonk in reply to Nothing_but_books]

That's one of many.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mrmonk]

Okay. I like OwlKitty. So touching. I'll look for more.

[mrmonk in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Here's one you may especially enjoy:

youtu.be/msLtodrQdKE(Not working as expected?)

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mrmonk]

You're right! I loved it!!!

I don't know how he got the rights, but WOW.

What Mr. White needed all along. OwlKitty.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Hit my 🐬 heart.

So beautiful.

❤️🐬

[Dolphin14 in reply to mrmonk]

So emotional. Just beautiful

❤️🐬

[mrmonk in reply to Dolphin14]

😺

[mrmonk]

Oh, and here's the song by The Weakerthans that I quoted from in the epigraph to the poem:

youtu.be/EuhBQoE1Hr0(Not working as expected?)

[Perriex]

There is such an unreal depth of emotion in both your prose and poetry.

I hope we can speak again once you are settled.

All the best,

~Kris

[mrmonk in reply to Perriex]

Thank you kindly, of course. And I'm so relieved to know the emotion of the poem is both preserved and communicated 😺

[mrmonk]

youtu.be/P6RC9Iqloec(Not working as expected?)

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mrmonk]

Cats are fearless! Any puppy would be terrified by the things this kitten faces. But no! Jump right in! Wow.

Thanks for all the comforting videos mrmonk. Just what I need.

[mrmonk]

youtu.be/asF655XtMoA(Not working as expected?)

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mrmonk]

Hey mrmonk,

Thanks for the video. It's touching. I had that happen to me once. A huge ginger Tom. He was the joy of my life.

Have you heard of A Street Cat Named Bob? It's a bit similar to this. A homeless man was adopted by a stray cat. It's a true story. I think the movie is free on YouTube now.

Hope you'll let us know when things move forward. Be well.

[mrmonk in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Does A Street Cat Named Bob take place in London? If so, I think I've heard of it.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mrmonk]

Yes. It does. I hope you're all right today.

[mrmonk in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Not all right, no.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mrmonk]

💙

[mrmonk]

youtu.be/CZpZmpPh3NY(Not working as expected?)

[Nothing_but_books in reply to mrmonk]

Thank you so much for the cat video mrmonk. I'm heading off to bed and it calmed and relaxed me so. Like a thunder blanket! Gotta get one of those.

So sweet. Even the other cats looking askance was adorable.

This little tune has been stuck in my mind all day. I wanted to share it:

(Oops... almost left you my shopping list.) Let's give that another shot:

youtube.com/watch?v=AVu2g3c...(Not working as expected?)

[Florida1959]

Good luck with the move, I left Florida in April, and returned to the U.K., like tge first draft, I too write poetry xxx

[mrmonk in reply to Florida1959]

Thank you. It was always my dream to move to the UK, but I'll have to settle for New England...if they'll even have me there.

[Florida1959 in reply to mrmonk]

Keep,positive, it’s hard but baby steps, you will get there xxxx

[mrmonk]

youtu.be/rjNPJf3hwAM(Not working as expected?)

[Mrspjsmom]

I read your beautiful words with Oliver curled up beside me. And memories of other cats who have shared my heart and my home. A few tears but good ones knowing I have been loved like you.

[mrmonk in reply to Mrspjsmom]

Some time ago, I saw your picture of Oliver in another thread and it immediately made me think of my beloved cat. Sometimes one's heart can hurt because it's so bursting with love. Thank you kindly for reading my poem.

[Mrspjsmom in reply to mrmonk]

Thank you for sharing it.

[mrmonk]

youtu.be/HBp5klTbqLs(Not working as expected?)