Imprisoned within, yet continually or selfishly
looking beyond perceived boundaries or margins
that hold me in place.
There is rigidity of my construct, whereas I have
long determined my shell is more flexible than
I have imagined.
It is the shape I have long occupied. What I say
and feel, and what has veritably taken place
remains my primary personal confine.
I am not always as open to change as I really may be,
yet continue living as if this is not always true.
That is now what I accept.
Has it been weeks now or months since you disappeared? We noticed. Not uncommon for you to stay away overnight, a time or two, exploring the neighbourhood you were a part of.
Our lives, years ago, blessed with a tiny stray. Here you made a home. You became part of a family, growing into an adorable beast in your own way. We grew, learned, and lived with your personality
Your playful ways entertained and, occasionally, angered. We allowed you to cuddle on the couch or sit in our windows to gaze at life beyond. You chose your place. In our comfortable lives.
You were only a housecat when you wanted to be; around when food and water was needed, or the comfort of our bed. Through the seasons, it was always warmer in your presence. We were happier then.
You had your place; you occupied many spaces in our hearts, our yard, and beyond all of that. Summer days spent basking in the sun on the deck, outside the window, where we knew you were safe.
Adventures far and wide, occasionally you would return with a mouse in your mouth, a gift for us, or with deep scratches and cuts from a scuffle with another cat as you defended your territory.
Your winter wanderings were, mainly, unknown to us. We saw only footprints in the snow; the ones that never returned. Outside of this home your world was vast, and ours is much smaller without you.
Place to place across city or continent, further perhaps. Destinations. Obligations. We travel as required, often to stay where we are. A journey. Where we end up is not always planned. No place feels exactly like home. We cannot always remember, yet we are reminded of the signs. Cities, countries, locations in between, loved ones left behind, or waiting. Come home. Regardless of where you go, no matter the baggage, I wish you all the best. I wish you safe passage.
Misplaced memories, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, like a pendulum. Moments measured but wasted anyway. Who knows how much, how far, how fast or not swift enough to be noticed or remembered. The collective fate of humanity. Over and over. We wake up and do it all again and again. Again. So, what will we notice for ourselves today, if not the shifting, if not the sway of our time?
