Out Like a Lamb

9th Life

My old cat comes running, frisky,
kitten-like across the kitchen
when I pop the top of the can

but her one eye's also running
and she's gone deaf, she startles;
shit gets on her grey-tipped tail

My old cat still sleeps with me
curled up inchworm like and small
when I switch off the hall light

but her purr is rough and lower
and she pays no mind to daybreak
as if all done with this, her final life.


note ▼

April 9—The animal world