practice

they took
the cat
and put it in
a shoe box.
it was a small
cat.
black and white.
the father
took a shovel
and together
with his children
and wife
they went
to the edge
of the yard
where the old
trees were
full and thick.
they said
a few words.
they buried
the cat, throwing
dirt onto
the box.
no one cried.
there would be
burials to come
for that.