I

Goodbye 

 

The way the lightning taunts me

makes me cower in my home

folded paper walls surround

as the rain falls on and on

 

Here I'm warm

with comforts near

More than enough

so safe and dear 

 

Still, I can't evade the storm

as it pours

it pelts

it blows

into my pillow

quiet grief

spirals from within my soul

 

 

II

Tuesday Evening

 

A full teapot, long cold

clean clothes, still on my bed

Reclining back

my tired head

murmurs again: 

My cat is dead 

 

Hot sunlight stings my eyes

The grass is cold and wet

I don't care about the flowers

All I think of is my pet

 

III 

Gus

 

I'll never call his name again

or feel a paw reach out in bed

The steady purr and shedding fur

From a nestling, needy warmth

 

Cross-legged on the window seat

I'll never trim his claws 

His eyes won't squint

His paws won't grab

His tail 

won't give even

one last

playful flick

 

Good boy 

Bad cat

Buddy bud bud

Puss puss puss

Gus