First Storm

Wander through the street seeking refuge from the storm
Turned away for my dirty coat
I begged at the door to be let in
Blizzard hitting the city
30 below; people shied away

I am mother with child
8 week old kittens to feed and keep warm
I was your neighbor's pet once
Remember petting me by the swimming pool last May
You said I was beautiful

Mind if we come in for the night
We don't take much room
A corner in the closet
A warm nest in your dresser
You won't notice us leave when dawn breaks

My children are shivering
One has a touch of the flu
He is weak but I promise he won't pass this night
Do you have a box?
And an old blanket to keep them safe from the storm?
A saucer of warm milk to soothe their aching bones?

I ask for nothing
But a chance for my babies
I tried the old house up the road
My owner won't even look at me
She shuns me now that I have 4 beautiful babies

Oh won't you please answer the door
I see you looking through the window
I see the recognition in your eyes
My children will die
What am I to do?
Turn to?
Or say to my dying child?

That I have let him down
That I could not provide
Plead for his forgiveness
While I let go of his little spirit
How will I explain of this world
When even I don't understand

And what of the others
They will ask of their brother
Why is he so lifeless in my arms?

With the ground frozen there is no sight soon for a proper burial
They will ask why I have laid him under some tree
Covered him with snow
And placed a broken twig at the head of his grave
In his memory

They will see the despair in my eyes
The tired lines of fight on my face
Will they notice the weight loss?
Or hear me cry myself to sleep at night?

I will tell them the story of my life
One night when the stars light our dreams
Beneath a Harvest moon
We will give my first born a place of peace
His spirit our guide to lead us homeward

God above if you hear this
Give me the strength to raise these children
Offer me enough time
To teach them to survive
And God,
Take this child I hold in my arms
Give him the life I was not able to
Please watch over these babies
And if I should not wake tomorrow
Keep them safe of harm and give to them strength