for elsa the feral queen who ruled the shelter
you looked at me the night before
when i spoke to you.
something in your eyes beyond,
the name i'd given you
and feasted with gusto
as you always did
except when your babies
left home.
for four days you were on a hunger strike
john and i had to pry you out from under the stairs
and force you to drink water
with a dropper
and you so terribly confused
and i was clueless
but when you finally ate i promised you
another chance and this time
you could keep them
and we would keep you all
for the heart of a mother
elsa was.
elsa died in her sleep,
curled paw, and eyes closed,
Feb. 2, 2010 age approx 10 years
