Chloe
Speaks
O. Kris Widmer
Idea: December 5, 2018
Published: December 11, 2018
Giving Voice to the Beloved Cat of a Patient,
Presumably Killed By the Heat and Flames of the
Camp Fire, in Paradise, California
My Dearest Human,
Yes, I am the cat you are mourning for.
First I want to assure you
I did not suffer much.
It was quick and quite painless,
not like you have imagined.
I awoke on the edge of the rainbow bridge,
surrounded by thousands of my kind
that have gone on before.
A few had preceded me from the Camp Fire event
and many others came after me.
The meows of welcome were deafening.
We immediately formed an association.
Next I want to say “Thank You.”
You gave me the best life
any pampered pussy ever had.
I lived in your lap
and it was surely the lap of luxury.
Thank you for giving me
a place inside your home and heart,
where I could do and be what I wanted,
with or without you being present,
Though was always nice to have you around too.
Last I would like to instruct you
how best to memorialize me.
Do not be finished with felines.
When you are ready,
go down to another shelter
(any one will do nicely)
and find another forlorn, furry face;
forsaken, alone and shivering.
Wrap him or her up in your strong arms,
speak words of tenderness,
sign the papers,
pay the fees,
and take them home.
We both will find release
seeing them nap,
hearing them purr,
smelling their food.
To know your fingers
are scratching another chin
or other ears
will be all the heaven I will need.
Sincerely,
Chloe the Cat
