Honored To Have Loved Me

The barren basket

The empty box

The cold kitchen chair cushion.

/

The window perch

Still has your fur

In its fibers.

/

I keep expecting

Your high-pitched meow

But hear only silence.

/

Paw prints on my heart

Feel like claw marks

Breaking it to pieces.

/

Never thought I could love

A being so much

And now I am bereft.

/

Your food bowl is empty

As is my soul

And I am lonely.

/

I still haven't unplugged

Your water fountain

Or moved your favorite toy.

/

But I will endure this pain

So you won't have to

So may sleep soundly in the clouds.

/

I want to believe

That you are chasing butterflies

On that rainbow bridge.

/

May you visit my dreams

And though I wake in tears

I am honored that you have loved me.