An Ode to Pumpkin

A friend I could never leave

Wasted away before my eyes

And her eyes dimmed and tired

I remember when we met

Fear had chased me as You

Ran to catch up to me

You finding me to be the one

I never had to fear

The monsters of the dark

As You always slept

Right beside me

You were the one I could

Turn to when the words scarred

And the reality I lived

Was too much to take

You were the one who

Could make my sickness

Fade away

And the pain diminish

You were named

Pumpkin the Second

After one who was just as kind

Though You are the only Pumpkin I’ve known

No matter what change

Came my way You

Were the constant

That I knew wouldn’t change

Now I know

Your time is closing in

A sentence that

Death must carry

And though I’m older

And I know You aren’t immortal,

I thought that we’d

Have more years together

To think I can’t be there

To say goodbye

To think that I’ll never

Touch Your soft fur again

To think I’ll never hear

Your quiet voice

Or Your loud purrs

Or watch You play in the water

To think these things

Makes my eyes run rivers

And my heart shriek

As much as my mind

So let this be my farewell

For I know You’ll move on

To a place where cancer can’t

Hurt You anymore

My closest friend

My darling sister

I’ve loved You with all my heart

Since You caught it all those years ago

My beautiful girl

My pretty kitty

You brought me joy when

I needed it most

I will miss Your kindness

Every day that I live

And I will never forget

All of the time we had

So goodbye my dear one

Your ancestors are awaiting You

In the heaven that exists

Only for creatures like You

I know You’ll stay with me

And that You love me too

So this is just goodbye

Until I can see You again