Leonard (CTG)

Leonard

lies prone on the white tile kitchen floor;
his back legs have given way -- so
thin, matted black fur no longer sleek.

We remember how as a plump kitty,
Manx with tail, basketball on legs,
Lenny bossed little tabby Mamie.

A light breeze; bees buzz the lavender;
We phone the vet to have him put
down in the a.m., doesn't last the night.

Last evening from the Marc train, I saw
two finches fly to a thicket of thistles;
a drab female pecked at a flowerhead

until a bright yellow male nudged her
away, began to tear at the seeds,
white floss drifting skyward.

Christopher T. George


Prior version--

Greedy Sod

Lenny's fading this morning; he's lying on
the white-tile kitchen floor, thin legs splayed,
unable to raise his head, his black fur matted.

We chose Lenny first, laughed at his off-center
white moustache; how he and Mamie would fight
to get to the chow bowl and over the warmth

by the living-room radiator: plump,
sleek-furred Lenny always muscled her
out. I carry the trash out, smoke a cigar,

prepare myself to mop up his urine, attempt
to clean him for his final vet visit.
A light breeze; bees buzz the lavender.

Last evening from the Marc train, I saw
two finches fly to a thicket of thistles;
a drab female pecked at a flowerhead

until a bright yellow male nudged her
away, began to tear at the seeds,
white floss drifting skyward.


Original version--

Greedy Sod

Lenny's failing this morning: 16 years ago
at the shelter we saved Lenny and Mamie
(tabby who died of a brain tumor at New Year).

He lies on the white-tile kitchen floor
disabled (broken leg?). He's become so
skinny, his black fur matted, unkempt.

We chose Lenny first, laughed at his off-center
white moustache; we recall how they'd fight
to get to the chow bowl, and over the warmth

by the living-room radiator: plump,
sleek-furred Lenny always muscled her
out. I've booked his last vet appointment.

Last evening from the Marc train, I saw
two finches fly to some thistles;
a drab female pecked a flowerhead

until a bright yellow male nudged her
away, began to tear at the seeds,
white floss drifting skyward.

I read each three times...just to make sure. ;)

Not too funny a remark but my moustache is on straight.

I hope your local mice don't read this Chris.

Thanks, Oudeis. We do have a mouse problem in our apt building so the new older cats we will be getting Saturday will be arriving just in time..... just after the earthquake and just before the hurricane comes.

Cheers

Chris :PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Sincere wishes, Chris, I love cats too.
Chas:sad:

Thanks, Chas. We are moving ahead with plans to rescue two older cats.... one of them will probably be a tabby female, Lucy.... the other is a male named Chris... obviously a name change is in order there... I have suggested Desi after Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnez... though the vet who has him said we might need to call him "Chris-Desi" at first because he responds to the name "Chris". :)

Chris