The Cats Will Know — BY CESARE PAVESE

[Guest]

A poem for our lovely family cat who passed away today.

She brought us so much joy and love for 17 years.

So sad

The Cats Will Know ~ BY CESARE PAVESE
TRANSLATED BY GEOFFREY BROCK

Rain will fall again
on your smooth pavement,
a light rain like
a breath or a step.
The breeze and the dawn
will flourish again
when you return,
as if beneath your step.
Between flowers and sills
the cats will know.
There will be other days,
there will be other voices.
You will smile alone.
The cats will know.

You will hear words
old and spent and useless
like costumes left over
from yesterday’s parties.

You too will make gestures.
You’ll answer with words—
face of springtime,
you too will make gestures.

The cats will know,
face of springtime;
and the light rain
and the hyacinth dawn
that wrench the heart of him
who hopes no more for you—
they are the sad smile
you smile by yourself.

There will be other days,
other voices and renewals.
Face of springtime,
we will suffer at daybreak.

[Jacki]

So sorry to read this but my word, she was a grand old lady. You certainly looked after her well.

[Vivienne]

I hope she has a gentle and safe journey beyond the rainbow bridge. Run free Thankyou for sharing the beautiful poem and my condolences on your loss.

[Jonathon]

What a beautiful tiger cat. I'm so sorry for your loss.

My last cat companions, littermate sisters, were 16 1/2 and 17, when they passed. I lasted a week before getting my present two. They'll be 11 on Remembrance Day.