Jessica

i wonder if Jessica
   remembers me now.

she always had understanding eyes
   & an unfailing intuition about how badly
      i needed her.

from afar, she wd. summon me
   & always
      just when.

i arrived at her home.
   she waited on the couch.

our love ritual was simple and elegant–
   entering the room, our eyes
      touched like old spirit eyes.

when our bodies began to glow,
   she nodded & i crossed
      the room to sit beside her.

as time mellowed into
   golden light, i wd.
      show her the palm

of my hand & she wd.
   place her head on my lap
      & begin to purr all the pain
away.

her fur was always soft & warm
   white & black
      & there was always a

kitten hiding underneath
   to play with.

such was our loving
   now she is gone.

does the grieving ever end
   or do we only
      forget?