[Janice D. Soderling]

But David "don't know beans about" will get you around 115,000,000. However, when an expression is absolutely right where used, it isn't a cliché; it is a juste mot.

Cross-posted with Simon.

(And for the record, not in the category "cat lover".)

[Cyn Neely]

My favorite so far.

I'll go back to read other comments now.

[David Anthony]

The annoying thing about this poem is, it's better than the one I submitted.

[Marta Finch]

Yes, yes—finally something that everyone can call a sonnet. Albeit a bit cutesy, maybe, or light at any rate—but too much so? Don’t think so. (Do I remember once seeing a discussion of the unsuitability of cat poems to TDE!?) The setting up is good but I’m not sure about “breeding bats / in this old belfry” and then, “spin[ning] unheard-of nightmares in diminished brains.” Also, is “Hoarder” as title supposed to make us think of the herding of cats? (That question neither negative or positive—just a question.)

I’m crazy about the fabric references—how “washed, unironed taffeta” is perfect! and how “crepey” is so close to “creepy,” but isn’t.

I must say it’s a relief to see this sonnet among the finalists!

Marta

[Janice D. Soderling]

Marta, the standing objection to cat poems at TDE is not that one cannot write a good poem that has cats in it. The not-liking clause refers to the kind of cat poems that are gross amateur stuff like

How cute is not my cat,
sleeping on its mat.
I love my little cat
ginger-furred and squat.
It likes its tuna.
And would sooner
be with me than anybody
even though I'm fat.

The Sonnet here would, I'm sure, draw mostly rave reviews at TDE as here.

But doubtless someone will soon climb aboard this thread yawning, world-weary and unconvinced.

[Marta Finch]

Yes, Janice, of course there’s all the difference in the world! And I hope you noticed that I did admire this sonnet. Just couldn’t help remembering that I’d seen some disparaging reference to “cat poems,” and not so long ago. (I guess a smiley face should go here?)

[Barbara Loots]

At last! A sonnet that satisfies without a quibble. Meter, diction, rhyme, etc. all the work of a master. Also a cat poem that could win over even non-cat people.

I might reconsider the title, however, since the true "hoarder" (as revealed through a certain appalling reality tv show) is pathological rather than merely eccentric. But that ugly connection may exist only in my head.

My vote is ready and waiting.

[Janice D. Soderling]

Right, Marta, I did notice. My comment was directed at a general audience of members and lurkers and not an unkind swipe at you. Sorry if it seemed so.

And big welcome to the Sphere. Happy to have you aboard.

[Jayne Osborn]

I just have one word to say about this sonnet (and a smiley face to go with it):

Excellent

Jayne

[Roger Slater]

Please, this isn't a "cat poem" at all. We're not being asked to like the cats or think they're cute.

I like this a lot. I do think that lines 2-4 don't really do very much, even if their tone and diction are acceptable (and I have my doubts on that score). If the first line were the title, and we began the poem with L5, I can't see that much if anything would be lost. It's a shame that these lines aren't used to greater effect. As it is, the lines mostly take up space, but they're over quickly enough and the poem makes a strong recovery which it then sustains to the wonderful concluding couplet.