A mother cat and her babies, maybe five, maybe four                           Together all cuddling in a box on the floor                                                            ­                                                           She is so attentive, as they meow loudly,                                                          ­                                                   She gets them motivated, corrals them proudly                                                          ­                                                     A collection of soft and colorful fur                                                              ­    up safe in their loft, they snuggle and purr                                                 She eyes me watching, while cleaning them gently                                   none of them matching other than their innocent beauty

I smell rain and wet pavement
and sun
As I dance and I float
and I run
I hear laughter and cries
and song
As the sky’s colors bleed
into dawn
I watch as purples and pinks
fade away
As calm blue settles
over the day
I feel fresh air and dirt
underneath
As the spring I’ve so missed
breaks through the trees
I taste sweet berries and love
on my tongue
As freedom and bliss burn through me
like ***

used to think I’d like
to get to know you,
but I don’t, anymore

My life was
an open book.
You just forgot
to read a few chapters.

tell me where, tell me
when I can find happiness —
so I can go there

Yes, I lost the old me.
Yes, I'm the only one who can get it back.
But I'm getting tired, you see...
I just wish I had someone
I could call mine.
Not to give,
But to remind,
And help me find
The old me.