MUMBO
by Joanna Gilman Hyde
why wait for a cat to die
before writing about Her?
She has been gone all morning
frail in the wind
having eaten nothing
but peed on the lawn
shall I write of Her
in The Past Tense?
She was a wonderful kitty
born of enthusiasm
demanding
ferocious pettings
a black-and-white cat
I named Mumbo
Who was ready for anything
Joanna Gilman Hyde 
She better come back to her mama right NOW!
She’s back in the house today but I’m starting to get tearful about her and you’ve probably not heard the end of what must be the last days of dear little Mumbo. I’m glad I have my own blog — I had no idea I would be finding comfort here in this way. Thank you for reading and commenting Kris and Jackie and Jill, and all the millions of people out there who are not reading but who know what it’s like to lose a beloved pet.
oh dear, now I’m teary eyed too…
oh Mumbo, oh Joanna…
there is a place for us.
I love this poem.
Appreciation, love and acceptance should be shared while we have what/who we have. Why do we wait until they/it are gone. For me this beautiful poem is about embracing reality.
I am loving your blog Joanna..
I too like the nostalgia of those little deaths we experience when someone we love goes away even for a short time.