The Archives of the Sunbeam
an ode to illumination, pause, and feline mystery
Some say the soul leaves traces
not in memoirs or milestones
but in where it chooses to rest.
The sunbeam does not shout its presence.
It finds the exact patch of hardwood
where warmth lingers longer than necessary,
where dust spins like a lazy galaxy.
There, the archivists arrive— in silence and fur.
She curls first, like a comma in an unfinished poem.
He joins minutes later, rearranging himself
precisely parallel but always two inches apart.
Companionship without cling. Affection by implication.
They do not write history. They embody it.
Eyes closed, paws tucked, they warm the light
just as the light warms them, and in this mirrored gift
they store a chronicle no language can hold.
If you sit long enough, breathing gently at the edge,
you’ll glimpse a different kind of record:
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the way childhood smelled like sidewalk chalk and honeysuckle
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the taste of summer apples, slightly underripe
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the specific heartbreak of watching your parent rinse teacups in silence
And when one of them yawns and stretches
—as if opening the pages of a forgotten chapter—
you’ll remember: You, too, are allowed to pause.
To bask. To archive the moment.
Nothing is wasted in a sunbeam.
The Sunbeam Story, Simply Told
Some people believe our true selves
show not in what we achieve or remember,
but in where we choose to relax.
A sunbeam appears quietly.
It lands on a warm spot on the floor
where dust floats gently in the air.
Soon, two cats arrive.
The first one curls up alone.
Later, the other lies nearby— not too close,
just enough to show they care without needing to touch.
They don’t tell stories. They are the story.
Sleeping peacefully in the sunlight,
they share warmth with it and receive warmth in return.
If you sit near them quietly, you might feel some memories rise:
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How your childhood smelled
-
The taste of almost-ripe fruit
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The sadness of watching a parent wash dishes without speaking
Then one of the cats stretches, like opening an old book.
That’s when you remember— you’re allowed to stop and rest, too.
To enjoy the present moment. To feel and save it.
Nothing is wasted in the sunbeam.
.
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Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: July 13th, 2025 04:29
- Comment from author about the poem: Happy Sunday.... supplying to versions for a preferential choice. Hope you enjoy.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 20
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange, Friendship, Bella Shepard, Cheeky Missy
Offline)
Comments13
A beautiful poem that unfolds as a cat does in warmth and comfort stretching and reaching flexing its meaning. It seemed very comfortable to me and I definitely enjoyed it on a lazy Sunday. Thanks for sharing Cryptic.
Hey Soren... taking the lead from Tobani, going light and breezy on Sundays. Thanks so much for taking time to enjoy this poem. Most appreciated. 🕊️🙏🏻
A wonderful relaxing comforting write accompanied by its partner, purfect for a lazy sunday and very enjoyable read
Thank you, and also for starting a trend about Sunday posts being light and fun.
They should be really, time out from the more challenging stuff
Agreed. A day of rest and relaxation!
Beautiful
Thanks Tony🙏🏻🕊
You're welcome
Need I say this, but this pure brilliance, arqios. You take something as simple as a sunbeam and unfold an entire philosophy of presence, memory, and grace. The way you weave pause into poetry (nice alliteration, no? 🤣) especially through the cats' silent wisdom...is nothing short of sacred. “Affection by implication” might be one of my new favorite phrases. Beautifully, beautifully done. 🌹👏 A fave for sure.
Hopefully it works for non-cat people as well!
Hopefully...but the cats don't care really! 😼 🤣
Nothing quite like a cat (well the one I have a sometime acquaintance with anyway) to demonstrate just being, just being without complaint fear or need, at least in that moment (the moment of the sunbeam?)
Some cats do have that quality as some humans do as well.
Some humans.... Me? very occasionally, but it takes hard work!
Thanks for the Fave @Tristan, a lone light in dark beginnings, but still a light!
Of the two versions, which is your preference?
Carefree felines in a shaft of light, the epitome of grace and contentment. I tiptoed through this poem, so delicately woven and for fear of disturbing the moment. Such a beautiful and mellow poem. Perfect reading for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Thank you ever so much for this one.
All the best,
Tony.
There is such a peace that comes from reading your much valued comment. Thanks dear friend🕊️🙏🏻
The poem "The Archives of the Sunbeam" explores the notion of presence, stillness, and the ephemeral beauty of moments captured through the lens of companionship between cats.
Thank you dear Friendship. It's fun to observe companionship wherever it is exhibited. Most appreciated. 🕊️🙏🏻
Cats and sunbeams just seem to be a natural pairing. Your poem captures this beautifully, the feeling of peace that can come over you as you observe them lounging in that golden spot. You are so right, "Nothing is wasted in a sunbeam", priceless!
Thanks dear Bella. Most appreciated and looking forward to more golden spot moments and days. 🙏🏻🕊️
This is such a beautiful piece. I love the way it blends quiet observation with a deeper reflection on time, memory, and stillness. It’s written so nicely.
Thanks for outlining these observations dear Salvia. It's so valuable to get feedback and shall help in guiding the trajectory of this continuing poetic journey. You are most appreciated. 🕊️🙏🏻
La, how you cull to mind what the ladies told me the day I officially signed papers and purchased my two fluff balls; they claimed cats are practically keepers of your soul, as if. I cannot agree, however they are remarkably perceptive and sensitive to our moods, aligning themselves with the same by the second day and onward. These two pieces are so lovely. The first is gorgeous and evocative, rendered with a seductive sense which romances to the finish, the second clarifying. Beautifully rendered with excellent imagery and a haunting, exquisite poignancy. Thank you so very much for sharing.
I’ve been trying to accommodate two rough categories of readers especially so for those that require clarity. So tempted to direct some to a set of encyclopaedias if that’s what works for them 🤩
I'm still learning to accept that most apparently never ever know what on earth I told them in my lines, nor but rarer shall.
Ah yes... I've been told that maybe one day, some long and faraway time away, they would begin to understand my blabberings... hehehe
It's not that, rather it's rarer few who actuality desire to hear.
That too! The rare gems💎💎💎
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