Praying You Return (for my cat Aaron)

A bluish gray blanket covers the sky
Arresting the Sun from Heaven
Clouds darken with curtains of rain
Falling across the green fields
And shaking trees with
The fury of a ferocious wind.
Thunder erupts with a roar
After the lightning bolts
Crack the peaceful air
In electric anger.

Raindrops surrender on the pavement
Reflecting the light of a street lamp
Echoes of showers collect
In random ponds along the ground
The dreary gloom of night
Slowly unveils the Moon
Passing its silvery orb
Over black cats walking
Carefully between shadows
In haunted hue.

These are my nocturnal companions
Rippling with quiet energy 
Their diurnal duties
Long since retired lie dormant
In their impenetrable despair
Sleepless in subtle melancholy
A lonely face stares from a window
Traces of tears dried up
Shine in tiny flickers
Praying you return.

Copyright © 2020 Charles Edward York
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