Mara - Stoutsville, Ohio

She lay by the cold air return.
The sunlight sprinkled in through the maple tree outside.
Mara was at least 12 years old.
Her meow and purr had a “trilling” quality.
I had watched her through the day - and suspected her time was near.
She barely stirred as I roamed about the house.
As I reached down to pet her one last time.
Her eyes opened, but she did not purr.
One half hour later I walked by, and found her still.
She was a neat old cat.
She did not “own” me - but I miss her nonetheless.