I Hear

Paul Kotschy

May 2025

I sit here and count your gentle purr.
An abbreviated meow I understand now.
I reach down to greet your one-inch cheek.
You have a way to say we're here.
I'll find a way to say I hear.

I look to eye your side-on wide eye.
With beaky peck and chirpy chuckle,
There's more to you than battery struggle.
You have a way to say we're here.
I'll find a way to say I hear.

I lie on the carpet next to you.
A cue to start your cotton shirt nibble.
What happy interminable caninal foible?
You have a way to say we're here.
I'll find a way to say I hear.

You come on by to say goodnight—a nighty hug.
And in this moment of together,
Your words and visage make forever.
You have a way to say we're here.
I'll find a way to say I hear. 1 2

*Kitkat* (TL), *Lenny* (TR), *Dixie* (BL), Mels (BR).

1 In memory of Lenny and Dixie. We miss you.
2 I declare this to be my own work, entirely. In particular, no AI was used in any research, analysis, synthesis, writing, nor typesetting of this work. In short, AI was not recruited at any time in this work. Errors and inaccuracies are therefore proudly my own.

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