Puki

The guilt and the excruciating sadness of saying goodbye to a faithful companion.

My cat died in my arms.

Her steady heartbeat slowed like our thoughts before sleep.

"It was for the best"

I told myself looking through tears to a world

blurred by guilt and sorrow.

Friends for 77 years.

When I was sure I'd absorbed the last of her pain,

I laid her down like a newborn child,

and closed her empty eyes.

Then I buried my cat as the sun slinked slowly away.