Kitten

There once was a kitten.
Bright eyed and bushy tailed—
Always eager to learn.
But the kitten was betrayed.

The kitten was smart.
She understood things—
Or thought she did.
But the kitten was wrong.

The kitten left with her mom.
Her dad stayed alone but—
Soon the kitten’s dad had a girlfriend.
Then a wife and son.

The kitten did not understand.
The kitten was hurt—
She did not like the new wife.
But Kitten loved her father.

The kitten’s father and new wife soon divorced.
The Kitten hasn’t seen her brother since—
Kitten is depressed.
Kitten understands now.

But not fully.
Kitten has questions—
Why can she not see her brother?
Why was she chosen to be hurt this way?

This is what happened when kitten got older.
Kitten is not really a kitten anymore—
She is almost a cat.
But she isn’t allowed to date.

Kitten doesn’t like that.
Kitten has many friends—
Even one she really likes.
But kitten can’t tell.

She isn’t allowed.
Kitten crys—
Kitten smiles.
Kitten didn’t realize her friend liked her to.

Now kitten is afraid.
Because—
Kitten isn't the prettiest kitten.
She doesn’t have the softest fur ever either.

Kitten is even writing crappy poetry about kittens.
Because kitten isn’t really a kitten—
She is a human.
Her name is Lee, and she finished her poem.

-Lee J.Marx
9/11/2009
10:44 PM