Aligned at the edge of our coffee table
Called to muster to make way for my vacuuming
The soft toys stand at attention
You see
To clean the carpet isn’t my attempt
Too exterpate him from our house, our lives,Or to wake the sadness of his lost ninth life
No, please
The cat toys stand alert for a new command
Stuffed with cotton, batting, herbs of scented nip,
Eyes of glass unable to shed with the tears
We release
Knowing soon they’ll parade with a new needy cat, who
Need not take scent of our former Tom in fear,
Around the corner, in the carpet, or a drawer,
Toys; at ease
