Cat

Cat, you came into my life unexpectedly
You were stray

But you won over my affections quickly
You were loving

And you were trustful
To let me hold

You followed me by my heels
From the ground floor to the 13th

You didn't even flinch
When we walked into the lift

You looked at me as if to say
"I am ok with you, right?"

Right you were, creature with
The sweetest smiles

Eyes that shine with intellect
A tail that hugs with affection

You were smart and learnt quickly
How to travel up and down

You were often absent at night
Curious you were, an adventurer you were

On the evenings when we  went out,
People were curious

No leash? they'd say;
Wouldn't she run away?

Nope, I would reply
And surprise then writ large on their faces

Children were always attracted,
Some shy to approach

I would teach them the right way
To say hello to a cat, to a dog

For to them a sniff is like a handshake
A pat unannounced like a threat

But around you, Cat
There's always kindness from children

Also unbridled joy
Unconditional love

Alas, things have to come to an end
It could not last

My old-time sinus betrayed me
Telling me with each sneeze

That our time together would be short
That this is not meant to be

How can this be when I am never like this?
Does age make one susceptible?

So a new home I found you
A new owner who loved you just as much

But I wonder, as a parent might wonder
If that child remained how my life might turn out

It still pains, but the happy memories remain
I sit on the same bench and recall

Cat, wasn't that a lovely walk?
And you would look up and beam: 'Yes!'

It's all the pleasure I ask
Cat, I miss you

- by TC Lai

[This poem is inspired by the painting (above) United and In Harmony by Juan Carlos Munoz and my own experience with a lovely kitten that I had fostered for a short while.]