FOUR POEMS

Catalog

I was only eight. Not the driver, but I was
the one who begged for the cats. Our father,
so allergic he stopped breathing sometimes,
gave in. So long as I fed them.
So long as we kept them in the garage.

Outdoor cats we called them.

All I wanted was a body, different from mine, I could love.
Regardless of limits.

I have failed so many people. Other animals, too.

Sometimes, I think I will make a list. In case I’m ever askedto explain where I went