In between breaths
I see her.
Tousled hair
falling
over her eyes.
Rise
and fall
inhale
exhale.
Straw hat
covering
my loving visage.
She is my one.
My only.






Red.
Burning Fire.
Fuming.
It's all I see.
Don't you dare cry.
Crack a joke.
Quick!
Count to ten.
Calm.
Blue.
Blue skies.
Good.
No tears this time.












When she was young and scared,
new to this world,
but still curious...

She would nap, in the crevice of my neck.
it was sanctuary.

Hers of course.

Now, she is grown.
Out on her own
in the wilderness of my backyard.

She and I are one in the same.
Strong, clever, and able to stand on our own.

But even still,
her milk-dipped paws and chin could never fool me.

She's still and always will be my baby kitten,
cuddled up in sanctuary

purring the night away.