The cat in the picture is my boy Sam Cat the Ripper. I had to have him euthanized last October due to a huge tumor growing on his heart. He lived a happy life. This was his favorite place to lie in the yard. A quadrille is a form unique to dVerse. It has exactly 44 words, excluding the title, and use the prompted word which today is puzzle.
Ghost Cat
Deep pink petals fall on the wet green grass forming an ideogram. The crepe myrtle blooms are drifting to the ground. A ghost cat lives there waiting forever, switching his tail.
life is a puzzle –
a clam to pry open –
symbols mean nothing
kanzen sakura 
Jul 30, 2018 @ 15:42:28
I love how Sam is still with you as a ghost… there is always that special place… I remember a cat we had many years ago and when he was run over we buried him at his perfect spot where he used to sit… and I think he still sits there.
The haiku is wonderful
Jul 30, 2018 @ 15:45:03
I think you aright. I know there are times, especially when the crepe myrtle is fading that Sam Cat is still there. I like that you buried your cat in his favorite place.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 16:06:54
We have a 16 year old tom, and one day we will find him outside (where he lives) taking his big sleep. I want to bury him in the yard, but my wife wants to cremate him, and keep the ashes; a conundrum for sure. Loved the haiku.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 16:08:32
I have cremated all my cats the past few years. When I had my mother cremated and interred her ashes in the grave with her mother, I also put the cats’s ashes there with her to keep her company.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 16:12:24
I’m sure that Tosca and Max are still with me, which is why I adore your haibun, Toni. Life is a puzzle we are never going to solve.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 16:36:14
Nope. We never are/ We can pry bits of it open but there are still a gazillion clams in the ocean. I like that Tosca and Max are with you as well.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 16:22:36
I like the description of life as “a clam to pry open”.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 16:36:50
So do I. there are a ton of mysteries in the ocean.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 17:08:08
Our pets seem to stay with us whether living or dead. So hard to let go of them.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 17:44:23
Cats rule their domain and a little thing like passing over isn’t about to stop a fine cat like yours from doing just that.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 18:52:25
Nope. I have several ghost cats roaming about
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Jul 30, 2018 @ 17:48:14
Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #9: Toni Spencer’s latest #quadrille #haibun for #dversepoets!
Jul 30, 2018 @ 18:24:56
This is so poignant. I love the image of “crepe myrtle blooms drifting to the ground.” 💕
Jul 30, 2018 @ 18:59:00
What a lovely tribute to Sam Cat the Ripper!
Jul 30, 2018 @ 20:41:34
Thank you!
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Jul 30, 2018 @ 19:15:00
So now Sam is one of those lost pieces to your puzzle.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 20:41:10
No. Sam Cat isn’t lost. He’s right in that place like he always was.
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Jul 30, 2018 @ 20:55:41
He’s been planted in the puzzle!
Jul 30, 2018 @ 21:03:20
Actually he was cremated and is not part of any puzzle.
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Jul 30, 2018 @ 21:18:15
Oh, LOL!
Jul 30, 2018 @ 21:20:05
I am glad you find the death if my cat so amusing
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Jul 30, 2018 @ 22:09:05
I am so sorry! I apologize. I meant no offense.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 23:27:22
I accept your apology. Not everything is funny and meant for laughs
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Jul 31, 2018 @ 09:01:10
You are right, and again I am sorry I took this the wrong way.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 22:14:21
Feel free to delete my comments.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 19:36:38
Sweet boy. This is beautiful, Toni.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 20:19:43
Love this. Is it because we spend so much time with them, watching and appreciating, that it they become so ingrained in our memories? Even now, nine years later, I remember the feel of the bump on my kitty’s nose.
“Ghost cat” just struck me.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 21:44:36
petals for paws, paws for petals, pause for paws ….
softness for the silken noses, and ears and tails, switching in the light …. these memories never fade … they rest within our hearts, and their spirits walk with us wherever we are ….
there is a soft, gentle longing here, apparent but also solace and comfort that your beautiful boy is still at home …. guardians are never far … this is lovely Toni.
Jul 30, 2018 @ 23:32:04
Thank you Pat. Yes. There are several guardians on this place
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Jul 31, 2018 @ 01:05:44
“life is a puzzle, a clam to pry open.” I like these lines. They make me think that the more effort we are willing to put into life the more worthwhile it will be.
Jul 31, 2018 @ 04:58:44
I like your perspective!
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Jul 31, 2018 @ 07:46:25
We recently had all our VHS tapes converted to DVDs….almost all were of our children’s concerts and recitals. In amongst them, we found a long forgotten video that I made years and years ago — when our son was in 5th grade (he is now 41). At the time, we thought we might be moving so I borrowed a video-camera from our public library (no smart phones or ipads at the time) and videotaped all the inside of our house, including close-ups of dressers, wall hangings, photos, etc…..and in the midst of it, our love cat Blossom came strolling through….:) She was a beautiful Siamese and every time I would enter the house, I would call out her name and she would come running! We have photos…but to see her and hear her pur and meow in the video — extra special! 🙂 I enjoyed reading this about Sam Cat very much. 🙂
Jul 31, 2018 @ 11:53:20
Awwww. How wonderful that you got that extra surprise from Blossom!
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Jul 31, 2018 @ 08:40:48
It’s lovely to remember him in his favourite spot in the garden. Memories of loved ones are a treasure.
Jul 31, 2018 @ 11:51:49
Bless you Clowie! I hope you and your bipeds are doing well.hugs and live to yih.
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Jul 31, 2018 @ 08:47:25
‘a clam to pry open’ – such a memorable line and a vividly seen ghost cat
Jul 31, 2018 @ 11:50:48
Thank you Laura
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Jul 31, 2018 @ 11:41:36
A beautiful write. So sorry about your kitty.
Jul 31, 2018 @ 20:25:45
Lovely tribute to your friend. Well done.
Jul 31, 2018 @ 21:09:15
beautiful remembrace of your special Sam
Jul 31, 2018 @ 23:50:11
I am always in awe at your haibuns, the subtle way you add another layer to the prose with thought-provoking haiku. This was a beautiful way to honour your sweet cat.
Aug 01, 2018 @ 00:48:19
Thank you Mish. He was a good boy
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Aug 03, 2018 @ 08:38:24
This is a good way to remember a cherished part of family. I had a coal black car named Jake, who I can still see sitting on the front window meditating in the sunlight.
Aug 03, 2018 @ 13:34:16
AWWWW. I love it. Bless Jake’s heart.
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Aug 04, 2018 @ 20:36:16
😃