The little grey cat lays injured,
as I descend slowly down the steps.
Its face a crimson mask,
its body all broken and torn.

It looks up at me through blood-stained eyes,
as if to ask why this had to happen.
"Why didn't my master take care of me?"

It rises to its feet painfully,
as if to escape further harm.
I watch as it staggers away,
only to fall once again.

My heart is full of sadness,
as I think how this pain and suffering
should not have been.
If only it had a loving home,
never again would it wander astray.

But now its misery is over,
as it enters that animal kingdom
in the sky.