Heard from the window as I slept was that infamous sound.
The tires did not shriek as the cat hit the ground.
Then the pain and anguish began-again.
Friend, Lester's emotions of grief let loose in a spin.
It was his voice that was heard deeply weeping.
Someone had to go out in the night where creatures were creeping.
The guardian of the heart stepped out so that the emotions could go back within.
After arms were wrapped and Lester was comforted, his companion faced what was given.
Without thinking she placed her Veteran worker's Stand Down hat on her steady head.
"Don't worry, stay here I will face the dread," she said.
Lying down in the street was Lester's stray cat's friend.
She bent down and pet him one last time the prayers to send.
Then without blinking she gently placed the bleeding head first in the bag.
A loving note was written as a coroner's tag.
After Lester was consoled and to the job was sent on his way.
Then his friend was able to let the grief out and wept through the day.
She had as a child witnessed her 8 cats killed by age 11.
Her heart had been broken this way each time her cat was sent to heaven.
The companion had enough of watching loved ones' death.
She vowed never again to share her life with a cat under her breath.
But one day her older son did not ask permission and brought home a cat.
One look, one touch and that tiny kitten stole her heart, and that was that.
This time grief was different, I could feel again--my heart protected from all harms.
Days later that stray cat Lester named "Ophelia" climbed in my arms.
Now opened were the flood gates of my blocked emotions.
I praise you God with loving thanks and devotions!