Grief is the price you pay
For love.
When twenty-two years have passed
Like two,
And the kitten who peed in your record player
Is dying
In your arms for twenty-five hours
Because she wants to do it her way.
And your eyelids are swollen
With hot
Salty tears that have no end
And your hands press down
On her
Five-pound seizuring body
To try
To keep her from hurting herself
To help her pass into the dawn
And after each spell she cries
Out verbally
"Mom!" But her Mom
Can’t come
Home yet because she is "only"
A cat:
 
A cat
Who was the big seventh Christmas present,
A cat
Who rode in a doll pram,
A cat
Who never bathed herself,
A cat
Who willingly played dress-up,
A cat
Who was "shared" when she was the only one,
A cat
Who was my sister’s

Best friend
Daughter
Confidence
Self-esteem
Voice
Soul mate
Alter ego
Confidant.