i’m running
a hospice for cats
and no
no, it’s not rewarding
not at all
it’s not a
necessity, no
no.
but because
because my
soul is too weak
to love him
it’s so bittersweet
my badge is
salt lined streaks
from years of
memory recall
i can’t
bring myself
to
euthanize you
old friend, please
please forgive me
i’m running
a hospice for cats
and i hope there is
comfort in
knowing
just
that…
we love you, mario.
mothers
bury theirs
their sons
and daughters
brothers
and sisters
bury, theirs
uncles and aunties
cousins, nieces and nephews
pop pops and bubbies
bury them too
my mother cremated hers
we will scatter his ashes
there, will be no headstone
after his memory
nothing is left
just…
sprawling landscapes
and these vast
empty oceans
on a planet
spinning
adrift
in a
sea of ink
none of us deserve
this
not any longer
your
words
perforate
my soul
while
your eyes
grind
inadequacy
from every
pore
you can plan
and cultivate
bond with word
accommodate
prove your love
and ingratiate
build-up to
or culminate
but you
will never
deviate
from your
outlined fate
forever deemed
an unsuitable mate
when i catch
the glint in your eye
reflecting the light
the wisp of your lashes
in their graceful flight
the curve of your lips
as your head turns
ever so slight
i realize
this is how
your beauty strikes
consuming me
with the fluidity of life
a thousand moments
that echo through time
although randomly sequenced
the frames suddenly align
and i, standstill
awestruck and
mesmerized
book smart
tarts
sharpest
tongues
supple
parts
best finish
even better
starts
heave and grind
taste of steel
bound with twine
a lesson to learn
a love to opine
all that is lost
is known to time
lest you meander
get on with thine
your absence
no matter how
momentary
is a universe
eclipsed
from my
existence
finding exits
is no easy task
dodge their questions
wear the mask
break the lock
empty the flask
i can
make it up to you
and i will
that is the difference
between
them and i
r.matlack 