death | Joanna Gilman Hyde

Tag: death

I just finished settling Mumbo

on a fish-shaped padded mat

sewn by Eliza

a long time ago —

I gave Mumbo some evaporated milk

which She took

is She stationed here

in My Hawk Kitchen

on Her Mat behind My Grandmother’s Chair?

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