Rosie

They say that it’s beautiful
to love
the unloved thing –

like spiders.
Like insects.

You were so loved.

A precious little creature
small enough to hold
in my hands

I’ll never understand
how anyone could look at you
and see anything
but sweetness.

You made me smile.

Your tiny whiskers,
dark eyes like black gems,
catching the light
whenever you noticed me.

So soft
as you curled
into my sweater.

Your darling tail
that wrapped around my wrist

made others recoil
calling you

gross
or vermin.

But you were never that to me.

You were my friend.

And the world
feels a little emptier
without you here.