I cannot smile today.
All day,
tears have leaked,
spilled down my face
and under my chin,
a mirror of the rain
pouring outside.
Inside I am mourning
the loss of my feline friend,
and I can’t wait for this overcast day
to end.
Kim M. Russell, 12th January 2026

It’s Monday and, at the dVerse Poets Pub, we are quadrilling with De, who would like us to start the year off with a SMILE. Yes, we are writing poems of exactly 44 words (not counting the title), including one word ‘smile’. #
De has shared smiley quotations, poems and songs, as well as words and phrases we could use.
Oh, Kim, I’m so very sorry. ❤️💔❤️
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Thank you so much, Lisa.
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I hope this is fiction. If not, here’s a big hug as I know the feeling. Yesterday I buried a beautiful little bird my cat had killed. I buried it in the same large planter as another little bird I’d tried to heal, next to the place where my kitty companion of 14 years was buried. My entire backyard is filled with the graves of past loved pets or rescues. Every death was devastating.
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Sadly, it’s not fiction, Judy. Mojo was diagnosed with oral cancer in June and given 1-3months, so we were fortunate to have her this long. Thank you for the much needed hugs.
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So sad to have to mourn… there are so many things to cry for, so I found it hard to smile as well… a loss of a feline friend must be so hard-
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Thank you, Björn, it is hard, so much pain, and she has left a huge hole in our life.
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I can’t “like” this one, dear Kim. I’m so, so sorry. 💔
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Thankyou, Merril. Yesterday was such an awful day, and now I’m waiting to hear from the pet crematorium. The house is different without her.
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You’re welcome, Kim.
I understand. xx
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Oh, Kim. I’m so SO sorry. I’m sure she brought you so many smiles for all those years…but today, I am holding you in my heart.
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Thank you, De. She was the best cat ever and brought lots of smiles.
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Poor little Mojo’s suffering has ended. Sending you heaps of warmth to cushion you in your sorrow.
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Thank you so much, Lisa.
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You are welcome, Kim.
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Oh Kim, I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest condolences. Thinking of you.
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Thank you so much, Sanaa. I miss her constantly following me around, sitting on my lap and sleeping on the bed with me. I couldn’t sleep at all last night.
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in time memories of him/her will bring many smiles – sorry for losing such a friend
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Thank you, Laura. She has left a hole in our lives – the house is empty without her.
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You can be very sure she is smiling at you, trying to console you. Try be consoled by that thought. You’ll probably notice little signs of her, her letting you know she’ll stay with you until you feel better. Much love from the bottom of Africa for your distress.
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Thanks so much. I asked her to come back as a ghost cat. No sign yet, but I can hope.
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🙏🏻💜
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Sending HUGS
Hope you dmile again soon
🎇much love
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Thankyou, Gillena, for the much needed hugs.
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Kim, I’m so sorry for your loss and feelings of pain. Losing a pet is much more devastating than others without pets could ever fathom. Hugs your way….
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Thank you so much, Christine.
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Sincere condolences, K.
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Thanks so much, Ron.
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So sorry for the loss of your kitty. I just had a stray adopt me and she’s so pretty my heart melted!
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Thank you so much, Yvonne. Being adopted by a cat is wonderful.
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Beloved pets are members of the family. Sending hugs your way, dear friend.
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Thank you so much or badly needed hugs, Lill.
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So very sorry to hear your dear cat has died. I can see why you smiles washed away with the rain. Well done on the poem, Kim.
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Thank you kindly, Dwight.
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You are very welcome, Kim.
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Dear Kim, I’m sorry your Mojo is gone. Here’s hoping the weather (and your tears) eventually clear. <hug>
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Thank you very much, Lynn.
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I’m sorry for the loss of your feline friend.
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Thank you so much, Maria.
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I’m so sorry, Kim. I hope the overcast days end soon. ❤
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Thank you, Jae.
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I am so sorry you lost your little friend – she is wonderfully shared and remembered here – Jae
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Thank you so much, Jae.
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My heart goes out to you Kim – I know the feeling all too well – they will forever be in our hearts and we can smile at the memories ❤️
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Thank you, Ange. The house feels empty now. xx
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Yes it will they take a big piece of our heart ❤️
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what a lucky puddy cat to be loved the shown in your poem
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Thank you, Rog.
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Oh, I am so sorry for your loss Kim. Sending you a big hug and take care xx
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Thank you kindly, Dianne. xx
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such a poignant and sweet tribute to mojo
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Thanks so much, Eric.
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I feel your pain Kim. It is such a sad loss 😢💔
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Thankyou, Christine.
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Our house struggled through this last year too. We still expect our old boy to jump up beside us in the evenings…
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We love our pets so much, don’t we?
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Indeed. We still have two left to love but the two that have gone now were both very special and dear to us.
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I am so sorry 😔
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Thank you, Tiffany.
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Aww, I would feel the same way. Hugs to you my friend.
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Thank you, Jennifer.
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Heartbreaking poem, Kim! Sending hugs your way…
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Thank you, Yvette.
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I’m so sorry, Kim. Every time I experience this, I fall apart.
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Thank you, Sara, We have her ashes in a lovely urn now. She was such a delightful cat.
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The one who probably brought many smiles now needs the valued tears of grief, a hole in one’s life is a powerfull feeling
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Thank you, Paul. There is indeed a hole in our life and he house feels empty now.
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Oh, dear! I am so sorry, Kim. Nobody can take Mojo’s place but I hope and wish that with time tears will fade and memories will bring smiles. Sending you lots of love and hugs. ❤️
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Thank you so much for the love and hugs, Punam.
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You are welcome, dear Kim.
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