september's eve, a kitten appears

The wind did its best, all frightful waltzing

and merry gusto. Weather for shivering skin.

Wednesday

you were plucked from the belly of the night.

In my dreams it was black Rococo carriage and

deep stallion, anything to forge the mythos

of Salem. Instead

we found a cotton ball creature, shuddering

ectoplasm tears from eyeballs so eclipsed

with darkness. Bewitched.

Now my secret lies under the blanket, beneath

patchwork flowers and viridian pinstripes.

Warmly nestled, milk-filled belly.

Round and pink

demon bites.

I name you after two lovers. Because the moon

lets you live, I notice how stars hush. Cosmic whispers

at the presence of your broomstick tail. Ears

proudly shaped, a summer witch’s hat.

You are magic. You live.