I shall walk in the sun alone
Whose golden light you loved;
I shall sleep alone
And, stirring, touch an empty place;
I shall write uninterrupted
(Would that your gentle paw
Could stay my moving pen just once again!)

I shall see beauty
But none to match your living grace;
I shall hear music
But not so sweet as the droning song
with which you loved me.

I shall fill my days
But I shall not, cannot forget;
Sleep soft, dear friend,
For while I live you shall not die.

M.J.

(Written for Charles, a Siamese Cat - June, 1930 - December, 1942)