9/ Then a new voice came
with a different smell
a smell of open door and window.
New voice said, "oh! that tiny one?"
Soft voice said, "yes, this is the kitten –
I thought you would take to her."
New voice said, "she's pretty
but so, so little!
She can't be ready to lose her mother!
She can't be strong enough!
Isn't she too little for a new home?"
Soft voice said, "no, it's time –
we can't keep eleven kittens.
I want you to take her.
I want you to have her."
I did not know what she meant.
My mother wasn't lost.
How could someone have me?
How could there be new home?
This was my home.
***
Above, v poignant 'lost kitten' image from illustrator Komako Sakai
