Ashes

For seventeen years

You’ve been my daughter’s

 Friend and confidant

You’ve seen her through

Marriage and divorce

Laughter and tears

You have greeted

Three children

And a new man

You ruled over

Ramshackle apartments

And suburban lawns

You hunted moles,

Voles, field mice

And chipmunks

You left proud offerings

Of your hunter’s prowess

On her porch

You trained the dogs

Taught them

Who was boss

You hogged the bed

Demanded dogs and humans

To curl up small

You were the King

Feline Lord

Of all in your purview

You will lie beside Mandy

Dog who thought

Herself, cat

You gave my daughter

So much when

She needed

So much more than ever, I could