Kiara

Jan J Manithottam

 The loss of a pet can be a lingering pain. Jan J Manithottam, a grade 12 student of mine, wrote this moving poem on the death of her beloved cat, Kiara.

 

Our baby, my first child,

I don’t know where she came from,

But I know where she has gone.

On a Saturday night, when it was raining,

This little creature started crying in our garden.

Soon she walked into our hearts.

 

She became our baby, my first child.

She grew not in our home but in our hearts.

We loved to watch her changes with curiosity.

She cried, played, laughed, loved and lived with us.

 

Our baby, my first child.

We called her Kiara.

I used to talk to her, feed her, cuddle her,

Care for and love her.

The sparkle in her eyes

When I took her in my arms,

The purrs she made

When I cuddled her,

The joy she expressed

When she saw me,

The jumps she made

When I sat next,

The vibe she changed

When I was moody,

The heartbeat I felt

When we were close,

All this runs to my mind

When your memory strikes.

 

Our baby, my first child.

She grew up into adulthood

Even before we expected.

Who can act against the laws of nature?

She became a mum

Of two little kittens.

Alas! The happiness didn’t last.

 

Our baby, my first child,

Got ill all of a sudden.

All our efforts didn’t save her.

Who can act against the will of God?

She went, leaving me, leaving her babies,

Leaving our hearts broken.

Kiara, my love,

Though you are not in our home anymore

You’ll always be there in our hearts.

Your shining eyes, your cute ears,

Your small nose, your soft skin,

Your little cries, your special tail,

Will linger never fading.

On a Christmas night you came,

The next Christmas you went.

 

Our baby, my first child.

Every night I look up to the sky

To find you shining there for us.

I know my love that you’re there somewhere

Watching us, especially your babies.

Don’t worry, Kiara, they’re safe with us.

Let peace be your eternal companion.

Photo by Jan