Open Poetry #32 |
Casey and the Cuz - Repost Just Because |
suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Goodness of a great big heart's his most attractive feature But my cousin's not what you'd call a sociable creature So it came as big surprise when I visited him one day And saw cage filling half a room with cockatoo at play I knew such birds like to feel they're part of a family Sure enough, Cuz confessed he was losing his sanity. He'd taken her as trade for some carpet work that he'd done Now threatened to end their relationship with his shotgun. Casey had a cage and toys, her feathers were purest white But she liked to keep a noisy racket going day and night. Cuz liked her talking and extensive vocabulary But was rather fond of sleep and Casey was contrary It didn't help at all knowing the screams she was giving Were often just expression of joy she felt in living Covered cage didn't convince her that it was time to sleep And cockatoo alarm clock was enough to make him weep! Casey looked at me and said a soft, coy, demure "hello" And shrugged her wings at Cuz as if to say "what does he know?" I took her from her cage and gave her my admiration She raised her crest and then seemed to shake with sheer elation To be held so - but then a maniacal laugh ensued That curled my toes and stilled my blood; my calmness came unglued "You see what I put up with?" came my cousin's plaintive plea "I swear she does that awful sound because she likes to see Me bolt awake with terror ripping open sleepy eyes I thought I would enjoy her... I just didn't realize." Casey's answer to this whine was to mimic a dog bark And as she chatted merrily, I was having a lark So when Cuz muttered that perhaps she wouldn't live too long The first thing entering my mind was the old "Fame" theme song "She'll probably outlast you... I'm sure she is thinking now 'I'm gonna live forever - so get used to it somehow!'" Well, Casey liked this brand new phrase, I was soon repeated I'M GONNA LIVE FOREVER! My cousin slumped, defeated. The next time that I called my Dad, I asked how Casey was He said my cousin had sold her - his reason? Just because! I hope Casey's found someone who thinks that she's quite clever With her shrill pronouncements that she's gonna live forever! When I posted this a year ago today, I never dreamed that his great big heart would fail him. I beg your indulgence as I post this again in memory of my cousin... who didn't live nearly long enough. For my Cuz - Louis William "LW" Marshall 4/12/45-6/19/04 |
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© Copyright 2004 suthern - All Rights Reserved | |||
Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
suthern A delightful read with a sad comment. Enjoyed the read. |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
A sad but beautiful write gal..... |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
suthern As I am owned by three parrots, one cockatiel and 13 doves, I understand. They can make you crazy. The Cuz will not be forgotten by you, with this and I'm sure many other stories keeping him alive in your heart. I'm sorry for your loss, my friend. |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Enjoyed your musings in the poem, suthern. But, I am so sorry to hear about your loss and my prayers are still with you. ..jo |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Suthern Lady, I enjoyed your poem, but I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Hugs, Ethel |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Seymour: I thank you so much, my friend. *S* My heart is full, but my thoughts are incoherent... thus, this repost. *S* Toerag: Thank you, sweets. *S* He loved to pick at me... I called him TURKEY more than a few times... so it was a kind of justice to see him bested by a bird. *G* Martie: Thank you, kind lady. *S* He loved birds... loved animals. *S* At the time of his death, he only had one cockatiel and a couple of dogs... but I can remember times when the bird calls, dog barks and meows reached deafening levels... and that's not even mentioning the raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, etc that were quiet. *S* iliana: I'm glad you enjoyed the poem. *S* And I thank you so much for your caring, my friend... those thoughts and prayers are SO appreciated! *S* Thank you! garysgirl: Thank you so much, dear lady. *S* I have a brother by birth... LW was brother by choice... which meant I spent half the time hugging his neck and the other half wanting to wring it. *G* |
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jellybeans Member Elite
since 2000-10-13
Posts 2298 |
ah lady, sigh...you got my wishes and my prayers...and my hugs. I loved this then, and even more so now |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
jellybeans: Thank you, my friend... so much. *S* I love you, lady. *S* |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
I can well imagine the fun and "contrast" that Casey caused! Your cuz put me in mind of a person I know. I enjoyed the portrait. I'm sure you miss him. Sending some warm thoughts your way... miscellanea |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
It does our soul good to laugh at the times we shared with someone we loved during their lifetime. What a wonderful legacy to leave behind, not to mention that Casey is somewhere and "going to live forever" in his memory too! Sorry about your Cuz Suthern, and I absolutely loved your definition of a brother of choice. |
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GG Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532Lost in thought |
I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin =-/ Time just doesn't seem to treat us well... but your love for him and his love for you, will be what lasts forever, even in death. Just hang on... Always, Alyssa Poems are made by fools like me, |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Goodness of a great big heart's his most attractive feature ~~~~~~~~~~ It runs in the family. (ykikyk) |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
SweetestSuthernGal~ A *hug* is all I can offer ... but know that this piece touches me tenderly~ LOVE YOU~ *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost, |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
I am so sorry for your loss...so sorry. Heart Hugs Something tugs at me, I've no doubt of that. |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
"Goodness of a great big heart's his most attractive feature" Yes, perhaps so....and it is most definitely one of yours. There's a lot of love in you, Laura, and it truly shows in this. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
I don't believe remembering can ever be over-posted, my fiend, and loving, most certainly - Never. jwesley |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
miscellanea: I do... and the missing has just begun. *S* Thank you so much! *S* Mysteria: A sad poem wouldn't have suited him... I can just see him with his head thrown back over his right shoulder... laughing at me and saying "C'mon" *S* Thank you so much, kind lady. *S* GG: You're absolutely right. *S* Thank you so very much! *S* JM: You've met his kids??? *S* (couldn't resist *G*) Thank you, lady... again and again. *S* Marge: Your hug is greatly appreciated. *S* I thank you very much! *S* Enchantress: Thank you so very much, kind lady... for both sympathy and hug. *S* Ratleader: In darkest times, friends step forth to hold a lantern... I thank you, my friend... from the bottom of my heart. *S* And yes... I thank you also that this poem existed here on PIP where I could find it instead of just in the clutter I call my files... it probably wouldn't have if not for you and Cpat and the great one-a-day week. *S* jwesley: Thank you so much, my friend... I will remember that. *S* |
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