Mondays With Merlin: Visiting Gris Gris
The well known poem (below) about grieving reflects how I, Merlin, an old, old cat feels about death. It feels different in the house with Gris Gris gone. It’s emptier, the water fountain he loved, quieter. Layla claims Domino and Odin are mourning and it’s true, they are needing extra cuddles of reassurance. I must admit, I’m loving all the extra snuggle time with Layla. When she groans about being behind schedule, I purr louder to drown out her silly thoughts about work.
The other day in between cold snaps, we went for a garden stroll and she lead me to Gris Gris’s grave. “He’s here under the earth and sky”, she said. I started sniffing the ground like mad bloodhound near the entrance of the burial mound which is blocked by a birch tree stump. Layla placed a temporary marker not that I needed one. The only marker I need is my nose. Oh, he’s was there alright. At least his fur body but not the rest of him. He’s in the wind and snow and the soft feather’s of a bird in flight. He’s gone and not gone, if you know what I mean. Ask your cats. They know. Gris Gris was my shadow, my seeing eye-cat, my fur bro and good friend.
“Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the star shine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave bereft
I am not there. I have not left.”
~Mary Elizabeth Frye
Gris Gris was my shadow, my seeing eye-cat, my fur bro and good friend.
32 Comments
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What’s up friends, its impressive piece of writing about cultureand entirely explained,
keep it up all the time.
Cherry City Kitties
Just catching up Merlin, my eyes are wet thoughts of your beloved Gris Gris. Much love to you, you wise old soul.
Team Tabby
So sorry to find out that Gris Gris has gone. Lovely tribute and poem. He will live in your heart forever.
Mindy
Moe
Cookie
Mike
Carolyn
Our loved ones are always in our hearts!. Beautiful poem xx
Alana
Big big hugs to you. We’re so sorry, it’s so hard. Lots of purrs.
Coccolino
That’s a lovely poem. It was touching and we are so sorry for the grief you are all experiencing. There is nothing to do but keep honoring the special memories.
da tabbies o trout towne
doodz….
it will take a while….grieve az long az ya knead two….
knot sew much now, but still, everee now N then… eye mourn me brother in law but knot by marriage…sauce…..
xxxxxxx
Cynthia Southern
I keep you, Domino, Merlin and Odin in my thoughts and prayers. Gris Gris was a wonderful companion and buddy to all of you. I have read this poem countless times but every time I do it brings tears to my eyes.
Laila and Minchie
Such a beautiful poem. Hard to read without tears.
Denise DiBetta
This is a beautiful piece, born from the heart of a beautiful human and manifested through the eyes and voice of a treasured feline companion. I shed a few tears while reading this, but feel very peaceful at the moment at having experienced it. Much love to you and your household my friend.
Brian
Our kindest and gentlest hugs to all of you.
Skeeter and Izzy
We are sorry to hear about Cindy’s loss of her sweet Angel. We send you purrs of love and comfort.
We are never truly gone unless we are forgotten. We never forget our little ones,never. The poem is so beautiful and for those of us that believe we know that it is true. We are made of this earth,water and sky and we return to those when it is our time. Our spirits pass into all we love and stay with them as long as they need us.
We believe Merlin, with all our heart we believe. With all our love dear ones,
Skeeter and Izzy, the Feral Gang, Twig and Peanut and Romeo >^..^<
Sue Brandes
What a beautiful poem. I think pets grieve very much. They know things are different. Sending purrs and hugs to you and your kitties.
Penelope
We love that poem. We put that poem in Licorice’s basket before we buried him. Me used goes out and sit on his grave and remember him too.
Friends is never gone, they lives on in our memories.
Kisses dear furrends
Nellie
Sometimes, Cats Herd You
What a beautiful poem. Merlin is such a wise kitty. Hugs and purrs to you and to Merlin as you tread the path to healing.
Katnip Lounge
This puts into words how I feel exactly.
Flynn
That is a beautiful poem. The ones we love never leave us, they live on in our hearts.
Nancy Blue Moon
I have always loved that poem Merlin..It is what I believe in..Take care of your sweet Layla..she needs extra cuddles and snuggle time too..Gris Gris will always be there..waiting..
Whskr
You miss your friend? Our Sienna misses Dash too as do we. Well me most with Sienna I guess. Love the poem, I will believe it in one day, I know I will.
Marjorie
Connie Marie
Beautiful post. Purrs to you all.
I’m crying my heart out for you,
I hope peace comes soon.
The Creative Cat
They are so much more reasonable than we are. Thank you for the lovely thought to take into the day.
Angel Abby
It is why the song by Mary Chapin Carpenter is so special to me, Between Here and Gone because it captures in those four words where Abby is, as does the song itself. But, I could not help but be reminded of that when you said Gris Gris is “gone but not gone” because it is true. He will always remain strongest in your hearts but his Spirit it still with you, in the sunlight, in the rain, in the grass and trees and every speck of dirt. Oh yes, he is there and gone.
((hugs))
xoxoxo
Tamago
That’s such a bautiful poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye. And I love your poem, too, Merlin.
Gris Gris is gone and not gone. I think I understand that. He never leaves your heart.
Purrs and hugs to all of you xoxo
Cindy
The Mary Elizabeth Frye poem is so beautiful! I lost my first-born kitty, Angel, two weeks ago today. This poem is so poignant. Thanks for sharing it!
Kitties Blue
This made my heart hurt so much. Even if you have a house-full of cats as I do, when one is no longer there, it feels so different and empty. The poem was purrfect, and I liked seeing the loss from Merlin’s perspective. The final photo was beautiful and touching. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as you continue to grieve the loss of Gris Gris, Janet
The Island Cats
Purrs, Merlin…Gris Gris will always be with you.
nadbugs
Pawpats.
easy rider
That’s such a touching poem, Merlin. I agree with you: it’s impossible to forget our friends.
Sammy
Merlin I know you and your brothers and humans miss Gris Gris….all of us who knew him miss him too but we know he’s in the wind and the sun and still guiding you from afar just as he did when he was your “wingman” in his life. One day – when it’s time – Coco and Gris Gris will be waiting in the wind for you. Mom and I send warm hugs though to hold you here as long as pawsible!
Love, Sammy
Sparkle
Purrs to you….
Kathryn
Oh, such a beautiful poem by Mary Frye. Brings tears to my eyes.
Merlin and Gris Gris look so happy in the photo.
Merlin has wise instincts.
Thanks for this.