Orphan
You chance upon her
in the far reaches of the backyard
a place you never go..
and there, she trembles
in the dark space 'neath the blackthorn shrubs
faint mews draw you closer
the power of her vulnerability on full blast
how helpless she is with eyes newly opened
neglected yet beautiful
you see the phenomenon of the will to live -
her outsized feistiness belying such a petite package
born a feral
her mother likely lost to the wheels of a car
or the jaws of yipping coyotes heard in twilight's fade
it will never be known for sure
and you wonder if she still wonders
if the familiar purr with the soft fur will snuggle her
she’s been cold and alone for far too long
so you gather her in the hug of your hands
and cradle her with your chest curled around her
your veins tingle as your blood warms
to her fragility for the first time
and you decide not to let Nature take its course;
instead you sit with her at your hearth
to heal the orphan within.
Susan Ashley
March 31, 2021
Copyright © Susan Ashley | Year Posted 2021
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