Requiem

[sarasusa]

SHAG
1991?-2004


To Shag, my beloved cat,
Who departed this life on Friday, July second, 2004,
Aged 13-14 years.

Shag
I
love you
more than I
can say.

Her life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in her that nature might stand up
And say to all the world, “This was a cat!”

5/22/2004

Large soul in small form,
My cat kneads peace, purrs patience.
Teach me through non-speech!

So many woes, Earth—
Through my fear for one small cat
World’s pain becomes real.


7/2/2004

Love
is
loss.
But
also
gain.

May I grow
worthy of the love
you gave me,
darling one.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I watched you grow thin and thinner,
a jagged ridge for your spine,
caves around your golden eyes.

I knew I would lose you. But I pretended I wouldn’t.

There are so many things I could have done differently,
ways I could have loved you better.

Your acceptance, your affection,
they humble me. And they ennoble me.