Grey Cat’s memorial was held on her birthday on June 16th at her old house. I spent many evenings up there in classes, attending potlucks, and sharing time with friends (while trying to survive a room-full of smokers). This was a poem I wrote a few days before Grey Cat’s memorial. It is a strange thing doing a handfasting one weekend and attending a memorial service the following weekend. Bookends, in a way.
Court and carry candles
She passed with grace from our circle
to the Samhain side of the veil
a loved Grey Cat with a lioness personality
Has it been so long that I am the one in center now
instead of fumbling in the ritual closet for items
(and never putting them back in the right place –labeled or not)
The copper carry candle still burns
lighting the way this time
for us to find our remembrance of you.
I speak up during ritual now
clean dishes unasked
shuttle people through before-and-after ritual
weaving a web of discourse
knitted conversations
never managing to capture court
With a tilt of your head
glancing over glasses
tapping a cigarette
the world stopped for you
You, graciously, nodded its passing
and marked your last months with beauty and love.
I’m still here
remembering Summer Solstice
visiting the privy and the falls
meeting people who stand here now
Smiling.
-June 14, 2012