Endangered Feline

Panting in low moans Meandering through dense brush Shrouded by evening sky above a forest Crystallized by frozen branches Oaks, maples, pines Coffin wood encasing icy earth The amber-eyed predator’s fur Damp and matted No prey in sight as hunger grows While creatures huddle with their clans In feathered nests and sheltered lairs She trekked on frozen leaves confused Longing for the comfort lost She couldn’t understand her plight Life had once been kind As dawn dispelled the sandman A cry I heard outside Weak and wanting tones of desperation A child lost? A babe who strayed? Anxiously I donned my coat Fearing what I might find On this late December morn’ Listlessly she scratched and sobbed The glass door kissed by thick ice But when I turned the knob And pushed the panel forth Her tragedy bit hard and sharp Her tender paws, raw with dried blood Infection had sealed one eye shut A bony spine, frostbitten ears So fast I took her in my arms Cradling this wayward soul Reaching for a blanket, sharing salmon A faint purr was my thanks For warmth and love and food Peering at her one good eye, I wept Overcome with pity and grief I realized the selfish act That led this sweet one to my yard College youths on Christmas recess Left her on a nearby road Before they joyfully headed home I found their tiny cat today Abandoned, nearly dead Stung by an act of thoughtlessness Fear not; the one-eyed cat will live A refuge I’ll provide But do not ask me to forgive The sin that made her mine For P.D.'s Pet Contest. Dedicated to Katie Cat, my pet of more than 20 years.