Crying Out Loud

It is midnight

and she is pacing.

Is she looking for him?

Is she crying out loud

without tears.

We shed tears

she cannot.

It’s a cry that wakes you

it’s not one you can ignore.

When will it end?

It’s a living nightmare

this loss, her loss, my loss.

His loss.

He is lost.

Has he been found?

Is he alive?

No closure.

Only guilt.

Only cries in the night.

And, cries during the day -

but mine wet my face.

Hers, they echo the house.

We’re supposed to move on

just forget about it

get over it.

Get over the unknown?

Get over guilt?

Get over loss and pain

and the one cat that loved us all -

leaving forever a lasting impression

and a hole

only he can fill.