"The Supposed-to-Be Kitten"

“The Supposed-to-Be Kitten”

2/25/07

The Supposed-to-Be Kitten
Is the one my sister was looking forward to
Something to love and care for all on her own
And which our parents are unaware.

Though we’ve not seen the Supposed-to-Be Kitten,
I think our hearts were growing smitten
For the young, and as-yet unnamed female,
With paws of white
And patches of color.

The Supposed-to-Be Kitten
That Sister asked me about naming,
And today the name I keep thinking of is Calico.

Perhaps Calico might have been the Supposed-to-Be Kitten’s name,
Or perhaps something else
Stronger, or more tame.

Whatever the case might have been
I’m sorry to say that,
Before this story of loving the Supposed-to-Be Kitten was to begin,
Sister had to rescind -
For our friends, we had forgotten, are allergic to cats.

So through we’ve not yet met, Supposed-to-Be Kitten,
She had to say ‘no’, before we grew to love you more
And had to give you up when you transform from Kitten to Cat,
And their allergic responses take hold -
For it would be so much harder to let you go after a year
Than it is today, though Sister’s close to shedding a tear.

Please know that we love you, Supposed-to-Be Kitten
And, having met you or not,
Please know that you are in today’s every thought.

We love you, Supposed-to-Be Kitten.