Once there came to be a cat named Rumi.
He was funny, friendly, bouncy and sleek,
with eyes of green that merged into your soul.
Sometimes he was ours, sometimes just yours.
Laid back but fierce, he could hunt with the best.
His paws no one could touch.
A thought was all it took to connect a touch
between human being and Rumi,
telepathic kitties are the best.
Black and white fur designed him sleek
and he knew intuitively that he was yours.
A spirit sage dwelt within his soul.
Soon his body became taxed but not his soul,
a vet was needed with his learned touch.
A trial was beginning that was yours,
to maintain his health and save your Rumi.
A malady did strike that took his sleek
and challenged him to remain his best.
Balance was found to restore that best,
body came into alignment with his soul;
his ruffled fur once again became sleek.
Cat was back…hadn’t lost his touch.
Our hearts were joyous for our Rumi,
a sigh of relief was mine and yours.
This cat had many more lives than you,
he kicked ass to regain his best.
No better cat for us than Rumi,
salvation was gifted through his soul.
A being of greatness, we were so touched,
he faced hurdles with strength and sleek.
Many long years he lived in sleekness
and never wavered that he was yours.
We were deeply affected by his touch,
those years with him were of the best.
He gave us his purity, his love, his soul,
this superb little being that we called Rumi.
Rumi’s life uplifted our souls and showed us our best.
His sleek countenance was because of your dedication
and your most selfless, loving touch.
I started this poem not too long after Rumi passed away but never finished just the last three lines, the envoi. This is my tribute to a wonderful companion and my daughter who never gave up…until Rumi was ready to move on.
Tonight is Open Link Night over at dVerse and Bjorn invites us to link up any poem of our choice to share: http://dversepoets.com/2015/10/29/open-link-night-158/
Bodhirose's Blog 
Sanaa Rizvi
/ October 29, 2015This is a touching & beautiful tribute to Rumi.
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Bodhirose
/ October 30, 2015Thank you, Sanaa.
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Grace
/ October 29, 2015What a wonderful and touching tribute to Rumi and the love of your daughter and family for the cat I specially love this part:
He gave us his purity, his love, his soul,
this superb little being that we called Rumi.
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Bodhirose
/ October 30, 2015Thank you, Grace, he was a superb little being.
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charliezero1.wordpress.com
/ October 29, 2015So sad and beautifully written poem.
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Bodhirose
/ October 30, 2015Thank you, Charlie. He was a special kitty.
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
/ October 29, 2015What a wonderful sestina.. a great tribute for a cat that gave you his everything… I especially like how you pinpoint the feline nature… faithful to all and to none.. I’m glad he could be with you so long..
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Bodhirose
/ October 30, 2015Thank you, Bjorn. He was a great cat and we were amazed that he lasted as long as he did given his health challenges.
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Audrey Howitt
/ October 29, 2015This touches me–I have an older dog and wonder how long she will be with me
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Bodhirose
/ October 30, 2015Thanks, Audrey. Yeah, it’s hard not to start wondering about just how long can they keep going. Rumi truly surprised us.
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Mary
/ October 29, 2015This is a very touching poem, Gayle. Some animals are very special, and it seems that Rumi was one of those animals. It seems that though there were difficult times for him he was able to beat a lot of odds and live a good life. I have had to say good-bye to two very special dogs in my life. Not easy, but I am thankful for each of them. Now I have three more who I enjoy greatly; but the sad thing is that I know eventually they will leave me too. Our pets show us how to love, I think, and also how to say good-bye.
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Bodhirose
/ October 30, 2015Thank you, Mary. He sure did beat the odds. I think if he had had anyone adopt him that he would have been gone very young. My daughter was very devoted and committed to doing whatever it took to help him. It’s never easy saying goodbye but they add so much to our lives, it’s so worth having them with us for however long we can.
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thotpurge
/ October 29, 2015I like “Sometimes he was ours, sometimes just yours” and the way you’ve repeated the theme throughout.
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Bodhirose
/ October 30, 2015Thanks for coming by, Thotpurge. That form is the Sestina and you use the same words in a set pattern throughout.
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ayala zarfjian (@ayalazarfjian)
/ October 29, 2015A wonderful and beautiful tribute .
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Bodhirose
/ October 30, 2015Thank you, Ayala, so nice to see you here.
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Misky
/ October 30, 2015So sweet and touching, and filled with love.
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Bodhirose
/ October 30, 2015Thank you, Misky…he was easy to love.
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Pleasant Street
/ October 30, 2015This is lovely- I can tell that he was part of the family
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Bodhirose
/ October 30, 2015Thank you, much of our lives revolved around him. :~)
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kaykuala h
/ October 30, 2015His sleek countenance was because of your dedication
and your most selfless, loving touch.
There has to be someone to guide and show the way. He will then respond as one desires. Great lines Gayle!
Hank
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Bodhirose
/ October 30, 2015Rumi was very fortunate to have had my daughter as his primary “person.” Thanks so much, Hank!
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katiemiafrederick
/ October 30, 2015Truly all cats
are ‘Rumi’
spiritual
guides for me..
and the lesson they teach
me best.. when they do leave..
twenty years for our last Arthur
Cat who is my first noble avatar
on Facebook.. before i literally
NOW become.. YES..
human again.. yes..
the greatest lesson
they teach me is
to continue
Loving Living
all of Life..
UnconditionAlly
PASSiONATELY
AND TOUGH NOW..
as life is precious
and there
is no
reason
to waste
any of it..
DOING what it
takes to survive..
and thrive alive..
i am a cat now..
warm
and true..
smiles..
lovely
inspiring
‘Rumi’ words..
my friend.. Bohirose..:)
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Bodhirose
/ October 30, 2015Rumi taught us a lot about life and about his tenacity to want to stick around and hang out with us for as long as he could. What a great companion he was. Thanks for coming by and sharing about Arthur Cat.
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katiemiafrederick
/ October 30, 2015Smiles.. Lovely stories.. My friend..:)
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Gay Reiser Cannon
/ October 30, 2015Eloquent eulogy – cats are special spirits sent to give us beauty, intuition, and uplifting. You showed us all that and more here.
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Bodhirose
/ October 30, 2015Thank you, Gay. He certainly was all that; a dear little being.
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Adriana Citlali Ramírez
/ October 31, 2015Lovely how you tell about Rumi’s life, struggles, his contact and influence. I can relate to the struggle to find an end to a poem that connects us with strong emotions. Time sometimes helps to find those words.
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Bodhirose
/ October 31, 2015Thank you, Adriana. I revisited it a few times and somehow just couldn’t finish the last part. I guess it was the right time…at last.
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MarinaSofia
/ October 31, 2015Very moving tribute to a beloved pet – and I like your repeated use of words such as ‘sleekness’ to capture his essential ‘catness’. So sad to lose such a faithful little friend – I think this may be too much for Toni to read this week, though.
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Bodhirose
/ October 31, 2015Thank you, Marina. I agree, maybe too much for Toni.
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vbholmes
/ October 31, 2015You’ve portrayed Rumi, his personality and his connection to you and your family so well. And your observation about a thought being all that was needed to communicate between human and cat is so true–some cats have a super-developed sensitivity and it’s the lucky human who has experienced that bond. Lovely tribute.
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Bodhirose
/ October 31, 2015Thank you, VB. I was hoping that I was able to capture that about him. He was a special little guy.
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othermary
/ October 31, 2015“telepathic kitties are the best” I love this line and agree with it.
First of all, I am sorry for you loss…condolences to you and your daughter. Our pets become our family, and even among beloved cats Rumi sounds like an exceptional guy. I hope your poem brings some comfort to you and your daughter.
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Bodhirose
/ October 31, 2015Thank you, Mary. I really believe he was telepathic and when we spoke to him he was very alert and responded to our words. He was a special little friend. I’m sure many people feel this way about their pets who are really members of the family. I appreciate your caring words.
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othermary
/ November 1, 2015You’re very welcome. I have furry family too. :o)
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lupitatucker
/ October 31, 2015Rumi, what a loving tribute. Isn’t amazing how these gentle creatures touch our souls? Blessings and shalom as you remember Rumi.
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Bodhirose
/ October 31, 2015Many thanks, Lupita. It is amazing. We were very invested in him, just like with any other family member.
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Sherry Marr
/ November 2, 2015He sounds so wonderful. What a beautiful tribute you have written. I especially love “a spirit sage lived in his soul.”
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Bodhirose
/ November 3, 2015Thanks, Sherry, he was very special.
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Lorna's Voice
/ November 4, 2015Gayle, what a beautiful gift to give your daughter–a lasting and moving tribute to her Rumi. Your words must be a balm to the wounds left by his passing. He sounds like an amazing feline.
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Bodhirose
/ November 4, 2015Thank you, Lorna, and nice to see you out and about. He really was a special little being and was meant to be in our lives.
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Lorna's Voice
/ November 10, 2015Yes, I know exactly what you mean. I feel that way about every furry friend I’ve known.
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Kathy Reed
/ November 5, 2015Yes, it’s sad..Rumi is a great name for a cat..I’m sure he kept you company many days when you were writing poetry. It takes awhile to adopt another, for they have a special place in our hearts. Very nice tribute and thank you for
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Bodhirose
/ November 5, 2015Thank you, Kathy. He was a wonderful companion. I can see how it can take time before wanting to take the steps toward adoption again. I hope that we all can get there.
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messupdressup03
/ November 8, 2015Touching 🙂 I have two pets and honestly I can’t imagine my life without them! Your words have such deep meaning! Happy to connect. do check out my post dedicated to my pets, it’s called “pawsitively pets” you might like it! Take care 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ November 8, 2015Thanks so much. It is hard to imagine our lives without our beloved pets…and so deeply sad when they move on without us. Thanks for the invitation! :~)
Gayle ~
P.S. Could you provide the link to your cat writing? I don’t know how to find it on your blog. Thanks!
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