Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Podcast – #Poetry #Flash Fiction – A Cat’s Life and Life’s Greatest Gift by Sally Cronin

Over last few weeks I have shared some syllabic poetry and 99 word flash fiction from my collection Life’s Rich Tapestry…woven in words – Published in 2019

This week – A Cat’s Life and some flash fiction – Life’s Greatest Gift

Sally Cronin – Smorgasbord Blog Magazine · Smorgasbord Poetry And Flash Fiction A Cat’s Life And Life’s Greatest Gift

A Cat’s Life

To
be fair,
cats are not
as aloof as
reputed to be.
There are good reasons why
felines don’t give love freely,
as decisions have to be made
about where you are in the food chain,
and if you should be regarded as prey.
Once determined that you are family
they will bestow upon you their love.
Overwhelming you with their gifts
of unfortunate creatures
who dared to cross their path
in the dead of night.
It’s an honour
delivered
with a
purr.

Life’s Greatest Gift

Thomas prowled the corridors of the care home as its residents slept. During the day he would jump from lap to lap, rubbing gnarled hands with his head, accepting tender touches and morsels of food, hoarded and saved for his visit. For many he became the family they no longer knew, and was adored.

The cat slipped through a door left ajar, and approaching the bed, he leapt onto the pillow. Thomas purred gently into the old woman’s ear. She sighed and gave one last gentle breath, accepting the greatest gift in life of being loved until its end.

©Sally Cronin 2019

One of the reviews for Life’s Rich Tapestry: Woven in Words

Marina Osipova 5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging. Moving. Amazing.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 30, 2020

As always, Sally Cronin’s writing (be it verse, micro fiction, or short stories) awoke in me a fountain of emotions. Some manifested themselves in goosebumps (Life’s Greatest Gift, Musical Interlude, Reunion, An Ugly Mutt, A Moment of Alignment-just to name a few), others brought a smile to my face, (My Mouse, Splashing Good Time, The Witch’s Handbook, etc.). The Enhancement Project was frightening in its futurological likelihood.

You’ll find the tales grim or sad, yet most promise hope at the end. While reading all these beautifully written stories, I shook my head in disbelief: how is it possible to tell a life story in such a short piece of literature? Take my word, you won’t be unaffected by these poignant snippets of life, and after turning the last page, you will crave more from this remarkable writer. Can’t help but recommend Sally Cronin’s books to readers who seek tales that deeply move soul and heart. 

Thank you for listening and if you would like to know more about my books and their reviews you can find them on my books page Sally’s Books and Reviews 2022