An American Short Hair

This is a poem I wrote shortly after my mother passed away. I was in Iraq at the time and it was a very emotional time in my life

My mother passed away in August. I was in Iraq when I got the phone call. System failure and some other medical terms were being thrown around. I didn't really know what was going on, hours pass and I'm on a helicopter out of Iraq.

I'm in Pittsburgh now, watching my mother breath her last breaths. She was my only living parent, I'm an orphan now. There is a hole in my heart, like something is missing and can never be replaced.

Days pass, my wife and I are in a pet store looking at the animals, she tells me that we're not leaving without a cat. I comply, we name him Ender after one of our favorite books.

He is orange "an American Short Hair" the sales receipt states. He is small, new to this world and pure. His hair is slick and orange and when he suns himself you can almost smell the sunlight bouncing off of his coat.

Weeks pass, he is there when I miss my mother. When the loneliness hits, he's there to distract me, to

cheer me up, to nibble on my finger or curl up beside me for attention, he is there.

Months pass, I'm looking at the emails my mother sent to me while I was in Iraq. I find a musical birthday card she sent to me on my birthday. It's an American Short Hair dancing around with a guitar.

I hear purring now, and it is near.

Author's Note

Please offer up any kind of advice. This is something that I wrote to try to explain to people how I was feeling at the time and I know that it is kind of confusing to read. Let me know how I may be able to fix it.

Reviews

[Stabitha]

It's not confusing.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[....]

touching ~ beautiful, so nicly written

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

This is a touching and beautiful piece. As one who has lost both parents I understand. The title you used and the innocence and comfort of your kitten add even more to this tribute. I think it is clear how you felt and how much you loved and miss your mother.

[New Dawn]

Beautiful writing full of raw emotion. I have also suffered such losses . this type of writing is difficult to change as it comes from the heart. I should let it stand as it is a lovely tribute to a much missed mother.