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Bess

My partner
                at the time
found you in a hedge
on the way back from work
dirty tired and alone
and brought you home

So small
                at the time
that we thought you were a kitten
rather than malnourished and mistreated
as we later learnt
from the softly spoken vet
who you didn't like at all

It took a long time
to loosen your fear of people
as long as it took
for the beautiful grey and black
splotches of your fur
to return to beautiful white and black
and to soften to our careful
gentle touches
that were permitted more
and more by our new family member

I didn't mention
                at the time
that I suggested the name Bess
for your superficial resemblance
to a cow
but you responded to it
and the name stuck
before my motive was uncovered

A miracle
                at the time
mere months later
when you would wake me
at your own sunrise
by standing on my chest
and purring
nose to nose

I've found no better way
to start a day than
this outpouring of love
from you
who let the past drop away
with such gentle careful grace

I can still 
brim
with what flowed between us
in those early hours


-----------


Bess the cat on arriving (with very dirty fur)

Big eyed, awake Bess looking out of a bag Bess on a wall in the garden
Bess looking sleepy on the back of the sofaA contorted Bess lying on a suitcase
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