you knew her when

she is a cat
with only one life
remaining, the other
eight being
spent foolishly
during her
younger years
of wild
abandon. but this
one life, in this
final life,
she has come
around. no longer
on the ledge
reaching
for that sparrow,
no longer
on the counter
searching for
spoiled milk
or fish. let
the mice run free.
she's a wise
cat now. fat
and serene
on the sill. but
oh, how you knew
her when.