A Poem a Day: a Series – Day 39

Day 39: “Manifestation”

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When I was 8

my ex-stepsister (at the time she was my stepsister, but she’s not anymore)

had a stuffed cat that was curled into a sleeping ball

the cat was brown with black markings

and when you put batteries in it,

it breathed

its stomach would rise and fall

and it would purr

I loved that thing

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When I was 9

I heard a kitten crying in our tree out front

I waited

and finally

she ran out from under to the house next door

she had beautiful black markings

part bengal, we found out later

I fed her and my ex-stepdad (he was my stepdad at the time, but he’s not anymore)

said we could keep her

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Now she’s 14

living with me and my partner

when I feel lonely

I cuddle with her

and lay my head on her stomach as it rises and falls with her breath

and she purrs

that’s what peace feels like

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then she gets annoyed with me

and gets up to leave me

but first,

I hug her

and kiss her

and tell her I love her