The Needle
The appointment made, the car
leaning into parkway curves,
no turning around for a small
caged cry from the back seat.
In the exam room I stroked
the black and white hairs on her skull.
Unhappy cat. Never purred,
drove other cats to cower under sofas.
The needle slid into her leg.
Uncontrollable tears. The vet
touched my arm, not knowing
I was crying for years
of failed affection,
the want of love, the times
I could have been
the one to slide the needle.