This tiny ball, white fur
A bookend, one, a set
My Himalayan Yoda
Much more than any pet

A link to life itself
A teacher of her own
Mentor me, she did
As feline seeds were sown.

She was for fourteen years
A lover, fierce and true
My heartbeat next to hers
Til the day I came to rue

Cradled like a baby
I fed her poisoned food
Crooning her, I cried
Repeating she was good.

So sliding into slumber,
Breathing deeply into time
To go as she had come
My loving her, sublime.

I prayed her death be painless
As no struggle did I see
Promising to join her
This time, eternity.

That night I held her body
Cold and rigid next to mine
Daring God to take me
I knew I crossed the line.

Only twice I'd given life
But now in taking it away
I am forever changed
Without her every day.