As long as you and I can remember

Back before then, even,

My family’s house stood against the wind,

A sanctuary for my frail being.



The shouts of their offspring filled the halls

The grandfather clock in their sitting room

Tickling away the graceful hours of bliss

And we would be there- a presence in their unruffled lives.  



And suddenly, my family, you were gone

Your house was empty of all feelings of life

And my brothers had disappeared, leaving me

In the grotesque emptiness that you left behind. 



Each day I tiptoed through the stillness

Afraid I would break the sacred silence

Wobbling up and down through the stifling calm-

Watching the dust eat your once-treasured belongings.



Days, months and years, each in that order

Dust clawing for revenge against the formerly-polished furniture

The musk stench of closed curtains and locked doors

Stinging at my raw nose as I saw time go past.



The grandfather clock, in its cloak of age, gave up life;

Its pendulum heart shuddering to a stop

And then I knew, for sure

Such a lonely long time

Had finally passed

From my family. 



I still stalk, all bitter

Through the house you left me to

Watching the last traces of memory disappear,

Bourn away on the chill wind that is

The herald to my approaching death. 



______________________

Written by a kitten. Or in the viewpoint of a kitten, anyway. ^^ Another one of my bored poems, but I tried a more serious chord, this time. I'm not particularly proud of it, but I'd like to hear people's comments, as I'm not all that acquiainted(sp) with free verse poetry. ^^ 



~Sumi