Yowling scoured through the shadows,
searching for a listening ear,
smothered by the strident gale,
she warred her way across the debris.
A scene it was
Eyes feasted upon raging destruction,
lungs filled with acrid smoke,
sirens seared her sensitive ears,
a body lay on the street.
She crossed the path with faltering steps,
gingerly canting her head,
needling whiskers sensing raw emotion,
grief that resembled her own.
Reaching out a bloodied paw to gently touch his hand,
the man came alive and opened his tear-filled eyes,
impassive upon the blazing house,
she witnessed his soul die.
In that moment she found a companion,
a spirit that mirrored her sorrow,
an uncontrollable bond would form,
a tribute to the perished lost.
He raised a hand and stroked her back,
and in response she arched,
their gaze met from cat to man,
On a journey to repair.
To me, this was about relating to people who share your pain but not your experience. Rather their own similar experience. It's about watching those you love leave you and knowing that its final. There is no going back. And carrying on with life from that point. The inspiration for this came from a loud yowling of a stray cat outside my window and how easy it was to ignore it while I continued to work. She wasn't in any physical agony that I could see. For all I knew it may have been mourning it's kittens or just hungry. It's a greedy little thing, beautiful shiny coat though. This reminded me of those who grieve quietly. Connections like the one between the cat and the man are a dime in a dozen.