Midnight Died Tonight

 

Mother always said, "No one has the right to complain about something that happens to everyone."

And everyone loses a beloved pet. It was my turn tonight.

I always had a companion when I wrote.

On the folding table beside me or the gray pillow beside my chair.

Both are empty tonight.

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He curled up in the crook of my arm when I slept.

Not so tonight ... nor any other night now.

He always met me at the top of the stairs as he did tonight when I returned from Raising Cane's.

He was always so happy to me see that he would race around the front room ... as he did tonight.

But he stiffened mid-run and fell hard to the floor. He made one mute cry and was still.

His loving heart just gave out according to the late night vet.

The apartment seems so empty now ... the bed will seem even emptier ... and the hollow of my elbow will be empty as is my heart.

This has been a bleak Christmas.

Others have had a harder Christmas this year,

but that does not lighten my heart.

I miss my friend.