Walking in October

[summer_jackel]

Magic ages.

But cats will, at fifteen. And it's subtle;
if you didn't know her, you wouldn't notice.
It's just a little difference in the way she goes,
Her coat a touch less sheen.

The puppy isn't quite a dog. He still galumphs.
I wasn't expecting, when I mapped and planned our life
to watch myself that way, but with a greater wariness:
getting to know the person who is
learning to know this dog
come lately from last year's pup.

This week is hot October,
as though the year just now noticed
summer'd galloped smoothly by
and the first mushrooms of this winter's bloom
are pushing impatient from moist earth.

But you can't make up lost time.
The leaves break crisply
beneath our paws.
Noon sun ignites white blazing
in new long coat;
and there's still sheen, for now,
in one that's been here all along.

We live our lives, we dance in dappled shadow;
and still, we run.

Comments

[tenaya-owlcat.livejournal.com]

Lovely poem. :)

Although I must say, my 15 year old cats act like they're about three years old or so. Age sure hasn't slowed them down any!

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And Magic is doing fine; she's looked like a three year old cat for her whole life---it's just that right now she maybe looks like a five year old. I expect that she will be playful, healthy and attitudinous for years yet. It's just that last night I noticed for the first time, in a way that I don't think you do unless you know an animal really well. It's time, it happens. I'm seeing age much more obviously in Jez and Rogue. Still. Passing time.

[tenaya-owlcat.livejournal.com]

I think cats are too stubborn to show their age. You know, they always have to be the prettiest. :P

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

They really do. Also, prettypretty icon qat there---s/he looks a lot like Magic with the black and the shiny, but Magic's eyes are green.

[tenaya-owlcat.livejournal.com]

That's Gryphon. She's completely bonded to me and is quite the character. She will be pleased to hear your compliments. ;)

The orange fluffernutter in this icon is Merlin, and in this pic, he's very very stoned after having dental work. But the expression is priceless. :P