you know that sadness
falls or floats
like a rubber ducky
staring you down
and announcing
he will live, indebted to none.

eye the filling,
cherries that push
a favorite graham cracker crust
to the finishing line
though blue porcelain
remains in cabinets
that rattle of complacency.

petals continue an awkward debate
uneven, all leaves barely cutting.

Cat No. 76 of the 500 Cats Project