The sales assistant had a cat
that died last month of a heart attack
nine years old but a pedigree
a heart condition apparently
I won’t be getting another she said
It’s too damned hard when they drop down dead

I paid for the jeans and sympathised
we’d had one or two pets who died
Kasha came free with a second hand chair
the chair long gone but the cat still there
It’s the price you pay for loving someone
one minute here the next minute gone

I suppose it teaches my kids about death
my parents aren’t in the best of health;
Do you want to sign up for our newsletter, love?
it qualifies you for ten percent off?
I typed my email onto the screen;
she opened a bag and put in my jeans

I had to take a day off work
to even remotely get over the hurt
I felt so desperate, utterly stressed
my eyes all bloodshot my skin a mess
I wore dark glasses, my hair in plaits
I said don’t none of you mention cats.