She was a nothing cat
a stray
but she stayed around
and they grew up together
when he went away
he gave her to his little sister
it didn’t matter
because
it was just a scuzzy, nothing kind of cat
Margie took care of the cat
and whenever she wrote
she always assured him
that Cat
was doing fine – as if that were important
And he would always
tell me
with a little laugh –
emphasizing
that Cat was just a scuzzy nothing
As if knowing about Cat didn’t matter.
& then it was Christmas Day! sleep – silent snow blankets the earth with only an occasional whisper the world is at peace. even the cats sleep on…
Two weeks too many states bitter cold, bittersweet Asia and Blue Parakeet huddle, heading NW into winter We stretch legs wandering Wright Patterson Air Force Museum Herm Crab has retreated uncaring that a cold Pacific awaits Crossing into St. Louis driving rain obscures the exits settled in, we reminisce about dining near the old brick…
We lay there – I, draped along the sofa while she curls herself inside the bend of my legs They, by contrast, stand sentry seated side by side in the large chair near the fireplace poised. ready Over and over we replay this scene – Coco and me, Annie and my husband They inevitably glance…
Nights you’d prowl the house in stark contrast to days of nursing/moving/coaxing Did you slip away, certain your baby was asleep – forgetting she was an only child soon to miss the warmth of your body? or was it a need from deep inside to have some part of each day silently to yourself? It…
In comes tree (bearing the faint chill of a Chesapeake December) Shake loose its branches and gather round to mark the end of another year! Catching scents of pine and cinnamon Annie slowly, tentatively settles on the green chair to oversee decorating from a distance Hot mulled cider tastes especially good on a night such…
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…