The ghost of a cat

I forget that the door doesn't matter now

I used to slip inside

Keep her safe from her curious

I needed her too much

To let her roam the balcony

I don't wake up at 5am now

Instead my alarm blearies me

No one is demanding attention

I learned to be comforted by strange sounds

Now everything that shifts in the apartment makes me smile

Briefly

Her water bowl is still out

I keep almost refilling it

Almost putting it away

There is food

There are toys

I'm leaving them out

I'll go to the shelter soon

Not today