we grew up poor together
and didn't really like each other,
but when you have nothing, it's nice
to have company,

so we did what poor kids do; we stuck together,

taking breaks from being poor in the afternoon woods,
where nobody was dressed nicer than us
and the creek didn't care
that our shoes didn't fit.

Anna, I love you because
nobody knew how sad we were.

a liar in love
a crow in the cold
beginnings ascend
from the carcass of folly
what remains is the will
what survives is what
was there all along
courage is knowing

You have been together since birth
Do animals grieve?
You seek out my company now a little more
on the back of the couch, head draped over my shoulder
as I write, your fuzzy head on my knee
You, the runt, the littlest one grown into the biggest
Over twenty pounds of Israeli's finest cross eyed street cat
Rescued at the same time, you were near death
your brother tried to escape into the inner workings of the car
stopped by my grabbing his tail
He was always the stronger one, the faster one
the normal one
You wait for him now, when it's time to eat
While he struggles to his feet, nothing but a skeleton
We will have each other when he's gone
but I think you will miss him, too