Speak, Girl, Speak

"...Our dog is always near me and the cats
rush to climb on me when
 I come home; I am only
a substitute for you."

I hold my brindle best friend
( as you did so often) to
ask her if she remembers any
secrets you told her.

I loved that you had conversations
with all the animals. When I
try to talk to them, they
refuse to speak to me; the
 flock flies away when I call,
"Hi there little birds."

 I also still hug the cats
 till they cry. Our dog is
always near me and the cats
rush to climb on me when
 I come home; I am only
a substitute for you.

They are full of life and
 love, but I must prepare for
 the day I must hold them
and lie to them the way
I lied to you.
------

The Collected Chaff, v. 1.0