In a house half empty,
And glaring at
A feral cat,
Eight-fold kittens fastened across her vest.

Many memories escape past
As I place pictures, awards, trinkets in a box.
Then four multi-colored plaster hands materialize.
Bookmarks, ice core samplings from Antarctica

These casts of amber glass which again I can read.

Illumined creatures in the grass.
Blue stained lips, laughter, running fast.

Sunshine, bluebonnets, green and golden daffodils.

I pause.

Time has passed.

I bundle away the plaster casts
Remembering heirloominant times past
And that, alas, time’s passed.

In the evening, the cat yawns and ventures out.
Yet another kitten’s gone about.
Another kitten’s gone about.

[by Eric Lyke]