Bubble

 What is this flame you have lit inside of me
That illuminates the night sky
thaws the cold serenity that I feign
Leaving me unable to mask the pain and vulnerability?

And what is this you do whenever you look at me

That leaves me transparent and my wicked heart still

Amid dreams and restlessness as I disappear into your head

If not magic or a spell you have cast?

So I explore the space where your neck meets your shoulder

A small moan escapes your lips 

the storms and the pain cease to inhabit your face

As possibilities are born no longer limited by experience

And I touch your face and kiss your lips

Hold you against me afraid to let you go

We anticipate every conversation we will ever have

While trapped in this bubble for a brief eternity

Grief

He was soft

his fur shined

he loved to be scratched 

on his cheeks

Nuzzle into my hand

i felt his wet nose

on my thumb

The first thing I noticed

He would not eat

Then he would

I thought it was ok

He lost weight

his fur still shone

His skin was loose

he would still nuzzle

my hand

He was not ok

I could no longer

deny

hide from the inevitable

his fur started to fall out

the vet said

we can only make him comfortable

He would not

Should not

Suffer

There was nothing

to be done for me

I had to get it together

To make the last

trip

I wanted to give him

Something special

But he was done eating

He still curled on my

lap

He still purred

Nuzzled my hand

I could tell 

he knew

An IV in his arm

Us alone in the room

I had to say goodbye

Through my tears

I wonder if he knew

What was coming

But finally it was

time

He went to sleep

My heart shattered

Grief never ends

I miss his wet

Nose on  my thumb

His soft fur on my cheek