A poem dedicated to my cat, Hartley, who passed away this past April.

Clumps of fur, a distinctive meow, uncontrollable clawing
The warm cuddles, the 6am starts, none of this I get in mourning.

Me without you seemed an impossibility months ago,
but now you’re gone I’m still not ready to move on,
from all that you gave to us, me.

To the black bear in my life,
one of my constant joys.

Me without you is lacking in poise.
Me without you is lacking in noise.
And me without you is a lacking existence – but one I am forced to continue.

Image courtesy of Carlos Delgado.