Space curls round me,
Weighs down my chest on waking,
Not climbing up my shoulder
Not purring nor licking my ear.
No sandpapery, almost unbearable rasping.
Downstairs, Brian asks the air
if it’s put the kettle on.
Keeps checking her bowl for lack of food.
Such emptiness, such a fail-to-greet me
Absence of our Thea, absence of cat.
LM Collis 23.6.2021
