...I shall see beauty
but none to match your living grace.
I shall hear music
but none as sweet as the droning song
with which you loved me.
I shall fill my days
but I shall not, cannot forget.
Sleep soft, dear friend...

by Michael Joseph

They will not go quietly,
The cats who've shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know
Their spirit still survives.

Old habits still make us think
We hear a meow at the door.
Or step back when we drop
A tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place
The food dish used to be,
And, sometimes, coming home at night,
We miss them terribly.

And although time may bring new friends
And a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts
Belongs to them

And always will.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,
and you'll run on, around the bend,
gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on, I'll find the strength,
life measures quality, not its length.
One long embrace before you leave,
share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,
but they be they, and they aren't you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,
the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
take with you this...I loved you best.

Copyright Jim Willis 2001