With Love from the Cat

He said
inky black
10 weeks
it’s 2014
the departure point

you think it’s tough now
and so I’m here for you
under the bridge, where all folded things are found
poetry
nettles
a small black kitten

the year I leave you
will be the hardest
you’ve known
and you haven’t known tough
like the freedom fighters
like the fleers from homelands
but you’ve known tough like you know
the inner war for peace

It’s pain all the same

and don’t let him
her
they
tell you otherwise

I will walk you from here
to the departure point
you asked for me
like you always asked for them:
feathers, signs, teachers

I will walk you to the departure point

and you will know the strength it takes
the strength you have, that you’ll need
so keep some in your pocket
along with my whiskers
my toe beans
my purr

it’s just
a departure point
and we, my dear,
are travellers.