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

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