Requiem for a Cat

Requiem for a Cat

Shadows gathered on the lawn

when you arrived –

the sun closed her golden eye.

You were old and deaf, patches

      of your tabby coat

            had worn away.

A white dish, a bit

of fish -- you purred 

gratitude and offered

bony-ribcage ankle rubs.

Each day held some small

joy, a sun-warmed spot

in which to lie, a bug

to tease along the path.

We miss your early morning

muster:

An empty saucer –

      a door between you

            and the dawn.      

We marveled at your courage

in the drudgery of age;

and marvel now at grace

or fate directing you to us.