by Jack Palinsky
No More
No more:.... Mitten prints cut in the snow,
Little bites at my naked toe,
Resting silent on a garden tie,
Walking beneath the summer sky.
No more.... Sleeping in the outdoor nip,
Strolling on some aimless trip,
Jumping upon the dogwood tree,
Chasing after a bumble bee.
No more.... Flopping down upon my feet,
Begging for a special treat,
Leaping over the garden gate,
Coming home much, much to late.
No more.... Critters wandering inside our house,
A bird, a mole, a big fat mouse,
Sometimes alive or sometimes dead,
Sneaking a nap in Colby's bed.
No more.... Winding down the center stairs,
Messing things with little white hairs,
Hanging limply across my shoulder,
Creeping around the corner boulder.
No more.... Reaching under my morning paper,
Acting out some senseless caper,
Stretching long upon the floor,
Sleeping peacefully outside my door.
No more, no more, no more.