A Lament for Charlie

you know me

you have loved me

recently

but now

you won’t even touch me

–

It is fruitless

for me to assume

this is about me

because, lately,

it’s always about you

–

yet

I’ve been through enough to know

this isn’t personal

not even close

–

I am all too familiar

with your ways

and this isn’t you

you’re scared

you’re unsure

you feel

out of place

–

how could you be so cold to me

when I share the warmth

of my bed

and heart

with you as the night grows long and dark

–

alas

I will shell out the time and space

you require,

after all

you are just a cat

but that doesn’t make you any less complicated

than a human.