A 14-YEAR OLD CONVALESCENT CAT IN THE WINTER

By Gavin Ewart

I want him to have another living summer, 
to lie in the sun and enjoy the douceur de vivre – 
because the sun, like golden rum in a rummer, 
is what makes an idle cat un tout petit peu ivre – 

I want him to lie stretched out, contented, 
revelling in the heat, his fur all dry and warm, 
an Old Age Pensioner, retired, resented 
by no one, and happinesses in a beelike swarm 

to settle on him – postponed for another season 
that last fated hateful journey to the vet 
from which there is no return (and age the reason), 
which must soon come – as I cannot forget.

From  http://able2know.org/topic/21158-1