Nibbler

I named you after the master of the universe on a cartoon.

After an adorable character with unforgettable fangs.

I watched you nibble your cat food and you melted my heart.

You weren’t just a stray cat that showed up in my yard.

You were my friend.

You brought back memories of my childhood cat.

The first cat I ever had was pure black, just like you.

I adored your chainsaw meow.

You had a unique voice and I was drawn to you instantly.

I could pick that voice out of any crowd.

You came.

You purred.

You changed my life forever.

It was the morning of a craft fair.

I was packing totes of jewelry and soap into my car as the sun was rising.

I saw you in the bushes.

You greeted me with frightened eyes and said in your own way “I don’t feel good. Please help me”

Upon closer inspection, I discovered your hind legs were covered in fresh diarrhea and one-third of the fur on your tail was gone.

I panicked.

I was strapped for time and already running twenty minutes late.

I said “Nibbler, come back at 9 am Sunday morning. Meet me in the same spot. I will help you.”

Like clockwork, you were there.

I think you understood what I told you.

Or maybe one of your stray cat friends has access to a sundial.

I cleaned you up with paper towel.

I put an old faded navy blue towel in my cat carrier.

After you and all the other colony cats ate breakfast.

I brought you in the house.

I sang you a sweet melody about how you were going to be alright.

You took a nap in the shade of my laundry room inside the carrier.

I checked on you often.

I was worried sick.

I gave you water and wet food for lunch.

You rubbed your head against my hand, blinked eyes with me and started purring.

You were thankful.

You knew you were in good hands.

I brought you to an angel named Carol.

Her staff will nurse you back to health.

You are going to be alright.

You will become a house cat.

This poem is featured in the book Passing Skeletons.

Passing Skeletons is a collection of poetry written by Amanda Zylstra. This collection has various themes including relationships, mental illness, addiction, and death. Each poem is filled with vivid descriptions, metaphors, and truth. This collection contains poetry written over the past 20 years and is the first published collection by this author.

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