Ashley unremarkable looking grey striped tabbycat until you see the eyes cat of sinew and fur resolute gaze, steady manner scarred but never bowed on patrol on patrol in the house in the yard along the wall of the woods keeping watch claws and teeth ready for the invader foolish enough to Cross the Line
Ashley on patrol through the long hours of the night the brief hours of summer afternoon the snow, rain, wind on patrol ever watchful never tiring resolved resolute content to be on patrol
Ashley on patrol a quick meal inside at the kitty dish on the counter gulping down store-bought food tame, house cat food for an untamed soul quickly still watching from the corner of an eye what's that motion outside? just random movement or an Intruder? no more time for tame eating must get back on duty
Ashley on patrol so many encounters in the night a few in daytime most unseen by other eyes several heard in the small hours many not but always the yard remains safe under guard many scars much hair gone not quite as steady as you were youth cannot be kept by force of will or sense of duty
Ashley on patrol always a friend to your housemates other cats lacking your resolve sense of purpose a small, noisy dog who presumes too much but tolerated humans who care for you and who you care for despite their puzzling lack of territoriality who cuddle you when you're between duty sections scratching you under the chin your most favorite place which causes you to stretch most luxuriously and make your soft, rumbling purr eyes closed in pleasure at the touch and warmth of those you guard so well perhaps time for a tame snack at countertop before resuming the watch for another long night
Ashley on patrol who, during some long night of attentiveness encountered one of the smallest intruders an intruder of the body an intruder unseen, unfelt, unsmelled that began its own patrol of your life's blood a patrol that doomed you
Ashley no longer on patrol not eating, sleeping too much too thin coat dulled and threadbare tired, retired sentry now dreaming of past glories, past battles won now too fond of the soft carpet, the cozy room your body invaded by the unknown and unknowable failing so tired time to rest, my friend a last hug, a last purr the prick of a needle a last tear sleep now
Ashley on patrol coat shiny again, gaze steady, pace confident no more pain no more adversaries Ashley on patrol in Heaven
so tired time to rest, my friend a last hug, a last purr the prick of a needle a last tear sleep now
Sniffles
:*-(