They picked me up from Nina's house
My brother got to pick you out
So little with brown and black stripes
"The kitten" was the best name we could come up with

procrastination got the better of us,
and a better name did not arrive
TK seemed adequate as a nickname, I guess

We made the mistake of putting bulbs on the tree
You knocked them off with such efficiency
The Kitten in a Christmas tree,
We still have the picture.

We tortured you and dressed you up
No wonder you hated our guts
You never learned to like kids
Maybe that's why I don't like them either.

As you grew you became "the killer".
TK still served as an appropriate abbreviation.
You were incredibly beautiful and majestic
You ruled the house with a napoleon complex.

I remember that day you caught your nail in the screen door,
Once saved you took out your frustrations on the dog
A good swat across his face and you felt justice was served.

I still have that dresser with the hardware that makes a tapping noise
You knew how to jingle it to wake us up in the morning.
The message was clear, it was time to start your day.

How many animals did you catch?
Your pride showed on your expressive face
That time you killed the mouse,
But so tenderly brought us all her babies unharmed.
Or that weasel that lived in the bathroom for a while,
Mom enjoyed that one.

Flaked tuna was the only flavor fitting for your highness
God forbid the pork was not diced into tiny pieces to your liking
Only your personal kills were worthy of the inconvenience of chewing.
And potato chips.

The other animals in the house were simply inconveniences
The look that said, "there are too many creatures in my room"
That time you were angry but decided to chew anyway.

How about that noise you would make in the car?
A cross between a howl and a meow
I couldn't help but laugh at your expense.
So much for your dignity, kitten.

Your preferences were so peculiar
We could only hold you if we were standing up
Water could only be served in a tall glass
Or my fishes filtered bowl.
Poor Buddha lived in constant fear.

I loved the way you gave kisses on command
And made that noise when I came in the room.
I could have done without you peeing in my suitcase.

As you grew older you really stayed the same
Your radius just grew smaller

So sharp until your last day.
He got your heart pumping again
During that last week when we knew
Later that day you swatted the Doberman
Just like you to come back to life
And proceed to hit the dog.

I have you here next to my bed
on the nightstand you used to walk over me to get to.
I miss talking to you
And letting you distract me while I was studying

Nineteen years was not long enough.
I was not expecting you to go so soon.
You can come see me whenever you want
I wish I could see you when you do.