first morning
to wake in this home, alone
too quiet
turning on mozart
my heart gently opens
to your loss
as the coffee brews
I turn to see your
bowls on the floor
I tuck
a few things away
too-hard reminders
I touch
your paw print impression
and feel your touch on mine
wrapped in the blanket
where you last
laid your head on my arm
in my dream
last night
you lived
moving, purring
happily content
fully alive
even in the night
I knew it
was a dream
and yet I relished
one more moment
with you
waking a while later
the dream’s echo
comforted me
and it does
still
this first morning
