Epitaph for Clyde



                 Epitaph for Clyde
                       
I can leave this door open cause I know you’ll never leave
I can leave the lights off because I know now you’ll forever see

I can leave all of the broken pieces and put them in your way-Try to protect you from all of the madness so you dont end up astray  

Yet nothing I try to ever do
Will ever make you stay
One moment you were lying next to me, the next you’d gone away

I remember the day like it was yesterday where we stopped and held the glimpse
You were near the granite sink with an emerald wink, and you’ve been gone ever since

I replay all the ways we could have changed the way you left
I would have hugged you for the millionth time and not cared what anyone said
The good thing is you were next to me and nothing was left unsaid

I told you I loved you a million times but there were a million more left
So while you are watching over me, remember to leave the light on
I still cant find the key you hid, I still dont know what went wrong

One thing I will never live without is the scent you left behind. I left your favorite pillow out in the place that you left mine

I put my arms around you again….. but you were miles away
I told you I loved you a thousand times you just have to hit replay
Remember to listen to our favorite song, maybe tomorrow, not today.

Somehow we ended up together, now it’s time for you to go your own way

I will be here til the end again… best
friends always stay

About this poem

On September 9th of this year my cat suddenly passed away. I came home from work to his usual greeting at the door and scooped him a few ounces of food. He then waited at the sink for me to turn on his favorite fresh water fountain. Minutes later he sat beside me on the couch and suddenly was gone. This piece depicts the reflection of what it feels like to lose someone you love.

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Written on September 16, 2022

Submitted by Erinjayjohnston on September 22, 2022

Modified on March 05, 2023

1:31 min read
63

Quick analysis:

Scheme X XX A XAA XX BCC BXX X AAA A XA
Closest metre Iambic octameter
Characters 1,493
Words 306
Stanzas 11
Stanza Lengths 1, 2, 1, 3, 2, 3, 3, 1, 3, 1, 2

Erin Johnston

Erin is an artist and art teacher who resides In Georgetown, Texas. A New York native, she has spent most of her life navigating through various states in the southeastern part of the United States. She has spent over 30 years working in the restaurant industry and in doing so, began to fall in love with storytelling. The art of communication became an integral part of her survival as this was accomplished through verbal and visual dialogue. She graduated with a Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and currently teaches drawing and painting to children. She spends most of her free time with her furry friends, her human friends, taking photos of sunsets, and drinking cold beer. more…

All Erin Johnston poems | Erin Johnston Books

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2 Comments
  • lovingempath
    oh Erin...this is a beautiful tribute to your beloved kitty. I am facing the same scenario with my own old cat soon. And I will be lost without him. When I first read this, I wasn't sure about the reference to a kitty. Now it's like a slap in the face; not to have seen that. Thank you for sharing your heart. 
    LikeReply1 year ago
    • Erinjayjohnston
      Thanks so much. Yes, I wanted the poem to be read from a perspective of losing someone they love rather than “just a pet” because many do not understand how devastating it is to lose an animal. My boy was young and passed suddenly:-( But we had a wonderful life together. I know your kitty has a great life with you as well! Enjoy each other and embrace how your kitty communicates with you. :-) Sending both of you all the best! 
      LikeReply 11 year ago
  • steve-edwards
    Poignant unadorned tribute to a special life very very well done
    LikeReply1 year ago

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"Epitaph for Clyde" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 10 May 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/139305/epitaph-for-clyde>.

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