When my first cat died
I cried as if my heart would break
mourning
though they did not find her
until the next day
My small, thin body lay
arms pulled close
trying in vain to hold me together
I can touch the pain as if it were
yesterday
We played
and rode bikes
sneaked upstairs together each night
How lucky I was
that she filled my heart so
completely
one summer very long ago.
Little people in furry clothes
Her worn collar long faded and stained used to be hot summer pink with lime-colored palm trees dancing ‘round Set against a pale yellow-white coat – she might as well have been wearing diamonds Later came the grass and mud, chocolate (swiped pastry) and a few garden remnants… over time each stain became an embedded…
After reaching the waterfront she settled on the old concrete bulkhead next door I at the end of the dock Maisie rested against my hip as Fox and I regarded each other from a suitable distance A few water birds passed lazily overhead but did not disturb And so we sat ignoring, and wondering about…
How shall we celebrate? with eggnog. tree. (doubt there’ll be snow) family, friends. cookies. candles. stack lots of firewood. (oh no. cutter packed) Beth – gingerbread men duty. festival of nine lessons and carols. advent calendar. packed. (will anyone notice) order turkey (vegetarian too) somehow it falls into place. I’m so glad you Always put…
At those times when I feel in harmony with the world Every clock dances with 12:12, 3:03 or other synchronous pairs before moving on to the next minute in time Conversely, hands on a discordant clock suspend time as they stretch and point toward numbers that disagree Like a flashing red light they warn again…
Cats? No more. more cats? No no more cats! Please. Traded: one good airplane for tiny flea and pneumonia ridden kitten it must have been the heat – and humidity of late July Maisie the dog licks, cajoles, barks plays the daily game of chase while we sit and watch Doomed by birth into an…