I stretch because I can,
because I have no fear of falling.
When I over-reach the chair
you’ll be there,
to catch and to cuddle,
you’ll be there.
In different lives,
my first and second,
stretching was an angst
punctuated by terror
and more meaningless error.
My third life was a cage,
an endless line of faces
which passed me by
for others, as yet more
took their places.
My fourth life began with a scratch,
with a click of the latch,
with fresh air.
A caring embrace and a collar,
a food bowl, all mine
with a friend to the end,
to the very end.
Now, I stretch because I can,
because I have no fear of falling.
