Cat Envy

We found her
at a small pet shop
in, Hanford.

Nothing special.

A charcoal gray kitten
that we later named
Emily.

The cat gained her love
without earning it,
much like I did.

Emily,
was a birthday gift,
the best one I gave.

I wander
if she keeps the cat
like a souvenir,

a reminder
of what has been

and what again
will never be.

That is,
if she thinks of me
at all.

Six years later,
the cat she still loves.

Six years later,
can't say that for me.

Six years later,
her phone rings
unexpectedly.

It was a good talk,
but words don't change things
like years and youth.

And I could hear that purr
through the phone
from that cat,

the cat she still loves,
but not me,
and that's that.