Fare Thee Well, Sam Samster

Sam Samster, King of the Oakville Cats (2000-2012)

Sam was the king of the Oakville cats. He was a mensch. His presence will animate our lives long after his passing.

I am reminded of the poem “Cat In An Empty Apartment” by  Polish poet Wis?awa Szymborska. After her  death earlier this week, the poem feels hauntingly uncanny to me — heart-stabbing as I turn it inside out:

Cat in an Empty Apartment - Wis?awa Szymborska

Die — You can’t do that to a cat.
Since what can a cat do
in an empty apartment?
Climb the walls?
Rub up against the furniture?
Nothing seems different here,
but nothing is the same.
Nothing has been moved,
but there’s more space.
And at nighttime no lamps are lit.
Footsteps on the staircase,
but they’re new ones.
The hand that puts fish on the saucer
has changed, too.
Something doesn’t start
at its usual time.
Something doesn’t happen
as it should. Someone was always, always here,
then suddenly disappeared
and stubbornly stays disappeared.

 

This entry was posted in memoir and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.

3 Responses to Fare Thee Well, Sam Samster

  1. Jordi says:

    Beautiful. He was a lovely cat with a fantastic meow.

  2. Erica Harris says:

    The connection between JoAnn and Sammy was one of joy, commitment, happiness, and delight. This dearest friend of mine has become a cat lover extraordinaire and it was in large part due to the amazing relationships she has formed with both her feline companions, Sammy the Samster being the one who sought her heart, sat on her lap, and won both places forever in her mind…………..

  3. Marney says:

    A lovely tribute to Sammy and the place he made in the heats of those who knew him.

Comments are closed.