Poetry

whiskers


i found a whisker of yours the other day
i carry it close to my heart.


i confess there are a few places 
i do not not vacuum because i can still see
the imprint of your delicate little chocolate chip toe pads.
behind my chair and in the back of the closet.
i miss you waiting by the laundry room door
when i get home from work or the store
now the laundry room and house are lonely.
the place where your litter box was looks so empty.
sometimes i hear you meowing in the middle of
the night, i wake up and start to get out of bed
then remember you are no longer here.
i also see you peeking around the corners 
late at night when i’m on the computer
or running down the hall with your mous-sey-tongue.
maybe you are still here after all.
i miss your purr motor when I feel down
i miss you tapping me with your paw.
your chair looks so empty without you, 
you perched on top like a jungle cat queen.
i keep your blanket on my reading chair
finding comfort in what was yours.
it may seem silly but I found a recording
of a cat purring (white noise) and i fall
asleep listening to it, wishing, hoping it was you.
17 years. that’s a long time you were in my life.
you made me better. you loved  me unconditionally.
i like to sit outside and gaze at the patch in the
garden where i buried you.
the flowers there are blooming so sweetly


the other day i found one of your whiskers
and  carry it close to my heart
5.1.2012