
Black and white
A ball of black and white
Shoved in the back of a tiny cat carrier
(This is the first thing I remember about you).
I remember reaching in and pulling you out
I remember seeing your six toes
I knew I had to have you.
The day we lost you
Then found you sick--
bleeding, hurt, marled.
I still remember how terrified I was
How it shook through my bones
Like an earthquake.
I remember the day we brought you back home
One less tooth
Still my baby.
I think about all this as you lay across my feet,
vibrating the bed with your thunderous purrs.
All I have to do is look at you and you start.
You've been here, seen it all.
You've seen us through all pets--
the 2 dogs, the 3 more cats.
You've been here, you've accepted.
Ten years, or is it really eleven?
Eleven years and
Still my baby.
I think about all this as you saunter your
body up the bed to my face,
As you lay next to me taking up the
rest of the bed.
I fear what lies ahead
how many more pets you'll see us through.
But you--what do you fear?
(Besides strangers, and loud noises, and my guitar "playing").
You do not fear the Future.
You instead remind me, as I scratch your
chin, your face, behind your ears,
down your back, up your tail;
You remind me as you reach out with your big paw toward my hand;
You remind me as you lick my fingers with your sandpaper tongue,
rough yet somehow gentle;
You remind me, Sir Felix,
to just appreciate the moment.
(And for that I love you most.)
Lovely fat cat...♥
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