survivor

I found three

i found three
new
born
kittens

squealing

a box
wrapped in white strips of nylon

no, not the box
the kittens

i untied them from the nylon
and more nylon

they remained tied to each other

the vet used surgical scissors
their umbilical cords had been tied together

newborns, their eyes still closed

three baby kittens

i fed them baby milk
i kept them warm
i put them on soft fabrics
i sang to them and held them

oh, but one died

and i buried him

and another died

and i buried him

The third one lived
The third one opened his eyes
The third one grew fur
The third one yawned and drank and purred

Every day I loved his little lion cheeks more
Every day I counted one more day of health and strength

All night he squealed and cried
All night I lay awake

Was he crying for the life he knew?
For the life he now knew that he was losing?

Was he crying from pain?
His cries were shrill and desperate

He cried for hours

With the morning his body stiffened

Can i blame you?

Still, you had the strength to grow and  to live even after what had been done to you.

You had the courage to try even after you had been taken from your mother and had been tied and twisted to your brothers by your umbilical cord

And that strange white nylon that was ripped into strips
that ensured that your death would be gradual

little guy
i love you