A Friend Remembered

Apollo, we loved you.
We pray you’ve found
a better realm than ours
without such
carelessness
from another who sent you,
defenseless, away.
You were only
a cat, but we
weep for you
still, who hope your departure was
swift and bereft of pain.

Apollo, we miss you.
You brought us amazing affection
when we took you in.
We truly needed your kittenish frolics,
and you freely gave us joy
during all the years you were ours.
You could play so hard with sheer abandon,
dashing lightning
bolt-like before our faces.
Other times you
transformed into a gray-striped, furry throw rug,
mid-room on the floor,
sleeping, stretching, rising snake-like,
late in sunlit morning.

Apollo, we love you
still.
Ever, you remained our
constant companion.
Your memory tip-toes behind us
on silent paw-pads
every day.
We smile and say:
Thank you.