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This was a poem inspired by my recent idea to change my last name, to drop my divorced name. I was thinking a lot about this and then told Reed I would take it to the dreamworld. Out came a fabulous dream about finding and naming a kitten.
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Naming the Kitten
…..I know so well how it feels
I know so well how it feels
To travel through weeds
Taller than than the tip of your tail
Maybe a name or a word
That expresses the mystery
Of how you landed here
Names of towns – like Tuscany
Objects and nouns
Blue sky and a swing…
This choosing – this naming the kitten
I could do it all day
Listen and look
For words that swing shut
For words are like hinges
That bring us through doors
Shoelaces flying on swing-sets like ribbon
Maypoles and fairies
Braided wool mittens
Collecting castaway words
To place them in jars
Like feathers and buttons
Old copper pennies
That ting and circle
And land
Lucky side up
You are like that -
A copper striped cat
You’ll always land on four feet
I need a name that says that!
But this feeling
Of naming the kitten
It feels so familiar
Like that blazing streak
Between your eyes
Not quite tan – not white
It there a color for that?
This naming the kitten
It feels the same
It feels
Like writing poetry all over again!
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Nicole~
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As I was waking from the dream the line
‘Writing poetry feels the same as naming the kitten’
flashed through my head.
And it is! And it does! It feels exactly like that!…
21 comments
August 15, 2012 at 1:58 AM
Hello, Kitty! As always, you have wonderful words and thoughts. Cats, even black ones, do present their own form of pageantry that mystifies our expectations and defies words. The funny thing about kittens though is that they eventually change … 9 times over! Some forever remain ‘Tuscany’, ‘Boo Boo’ or ‘Daisy’ (as I once named one) … others evolve into the ‘Cheshire’ variety. It’s really hard to tell until you get to know them and give them time and space to grow into themselves. People, too, are like door hinges, in that they swing both ways, sometimes when you least expect it!
August 15, 2012 at 10:04 AM
I like your line about how ‘it’s really hard to tell until you get to know them and give them time and space to grow into themselves’. We always feel the need to prename things. But what would a kitten grow up to be if it did not have a name? I do remember from T.S. Eliot’s ‘Cats’ that cats have many names. Some of them we will never know, especially their given soul name. I wonder if people are like that too.
Nicole~
August 15, 2012 at 6:34 AM
Change and choice the two C words that bring about the one important word that climbs and claws it’s way out from within us, CREATING this wonderful poem “Naming The Kitten” Purr Nicole nicely done. Paulette
August 15, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Purrs to you Paulette. Thanks so much for the feedback. It always helpful to know that the writing has an effect.
Nicole~
August 15, 2012 at 7:55 AM
Of course Nicole this time you brought tears to my eyes as I began to read – this one has moved me, touched me to spring water from the tear duct. I simply love this line: “For words that swing shut For words are like hinges That bring us through doors”….. just like a name, this too is the hinge that states who we are.
It’s a BIG thing a name – just like naming your kitten or a dog or a fish. It is like poetry for poetry are words arranged eloquently to make us dance in our heads.
I knew this one was going to be a good one – top 5 for me!
Here’s to your new name,
Nancy
August 15, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Wow Nancy! I guess you know what it feels like to have your ears alert for words and phrases. Just like naming a new pet. Yes, it could even be a fish. I had two Goldfish when I was young. Their names were Piggy and Cracker. Not very poetic. But all the same their names has meaning to me. Actually, just seeing their names again takes me back to that time in my life. Thanks so much for reading and commenting! And I hope your watery eyes inspired to a great idea.
Nicole~
August 15, 2012 at 12:20 PM
I’ve enjoyed reading peoples comments as much as I enjoyed reading your poem.
“I could do it all day
Listen and look
For words that swing shut
For words are like hinges
That bring us through doors”
You always get me with your words…you play with words, you create such images.
I’m glad the dream spoke to you, and your in a place to take and choose your name…change….it’s always good.
“collecting castaway words
to place them in jars”
this actually reminds me of the Quiet Place, in the thoughts room…your words become stars…but in this case you catch the words and place them in jars….I wonder which words you’d choose to store…do you have a favourite word you’d keep close.
August 15, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Hi Jasmin,
Because words are like little toys that bring me much joy! I can play with them and arrange them and sometimes I get just the right arrangement and it strikes at the heart. Kind of like music. I hope you had a chance to log into the new Dream-Speak Blog. (I sent out the invitations to the members on Monday evening) There I posted more of the background on the dream and the poem and where it came from.
Nicole~
August 16, 2012 at 4:23 PM
how funny. today we have a kitten with no name turn up… we’re house sitting and looking after the boarding kennels and cattery whilst the owner is away…and someone turned up with 2 kittens they found in a box…and came here with them to find them homes….the one is currently at the vets…but little nameless one is currently walking all over my laptop keys…she is so cute…and so adventurous, she’s definately a curious little character, so independent but only 7 weeks…but not ours to name….reminded me of the title of your poem…had to share….she was a nice surprise when I walked in after work…even if she did wee all over my work uniform, lol!
August 17, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Oh! Why can’t you keep the kitten?!
August 16, 2012 at 3:38 AM
Very purrfect words for one of the fun and exciting things we get to do on this world naming a child or pet. For me the answer is write their in your picture. ” Feather”. Is a great name for the Kitty. Thanks again Nicole for your purrrrfect words in a sometimes hard world. Keepin writing as loud as you can. Sometimes a whisper tickles the soul. Like a feather. Terry. The piano man
August 16, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Thanks Terry!
Feather is a great name. I see a fluffy yellow and white cat curled up in a chicken coop. We have a cat named Moxie who was found as a tiny kitten in the chicken coop. I am amazed she is still alive. She was born with no sense of being careful. I have saved her twice from death by dog!
Nicole~
August 17, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Do you really want to change your name? Or is it just a random thought and inspiration for this beautifully written poem? Anyway, you’ve done it great! I have really enjoyed reading your words.
August 17, 2012 at 11:21 AM
Yes, I really do want to change my last name. My last name of Rushin is from a marriage. We were having a conversation about it the night I had this dream.
Nicole~
August 17, 2012 at 9:18 PM
As Nancy said, a name is a big choice. We name our children, our pets, sometimes our cars or other things we care about. We don’t get to pick our birth names, but we can change our names as adults. When I was young, I was called by my first name, which I never liked. When I changed schools, I announced that I was going to go by my middle name, as I have ever since. When I started my blog, I decided to use a pen name and chose a name I always loved–Galen Pearl. In fact, I always wanted to name one of my children that name, but it was never right. I guess not because the name was meant for me all along!
August 18, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Beautiful. What does the name Galen mean? Is there some significance behind it other than the way it sounds and feels.
When I was younger I use to dream up pets just so I could name them. I didn’t realize it was a practice in active poetry.
Nicole~
August 18, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Good question–I looked it up. Galen means calm. How nice. It was my father’s name, so that is its personal significance to me.
August 18, 2012 at 7:41 AM
Lovely piece. May we all land lucky side up. Thanks for sharing.
August 18, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Of course! Lucky side up like the buttered side of the bread. I think when we tap into synchronicity it appears lucky or ironic to others. But really, we are just listening to the cues in front of us.
Nicole~
August 18, 2012 at 1:14 PM
I loved the poem (of course). Leaving our creative minds to think out our problems is usually an interesting solution.
Guess this means you might be changing your website name?
August 18, 2012 at 2:53 PM
This is not something that would happen anytime soon. But I am going to buy the domain and have it pointed here. NicoleRushin.com will remain my main domain.
But how else do we work out our problems if it is not creatively?
Nicole~