Caught
He stopped before his home
knowing it was too late
The flames rose and merged
with the fiery sunset
his modest but beautiful house
would be gone
with the day
But that was not
what caused his tears
He knew his work as Catcher
had pleased the Baron & Baroness
They would supply him with
a most modern Vulgarian replacement
It was what could not be replaced
that made his dancer-graceful legs give way
his black cape storming the dusty cobblestones
His long, sensitive nose
which served him so well
in finding dirty, outlawed children
told him
his Rikki burned
No more would they break fast
together in the morn
No more would Rikki
carry lollipops and bells
bait
into his Catcher’s wagon
No more would he hear
the running of little feet
to great him
the clutch of paws
running up his black trousered leg
Rikki’s white, furry body flying
into top hat held outstretched
No more would they break bread
together in the eve
No more
No More
NO MORE
His long-time companion
his magnificent ferret
his friend
was no more
The Child Catcher of Vulgaria
crumbled
and wept
April 15, 2018
Tressa Lee Breen
No comments:
Post a Comment