I am reposting a tanka written several years ago. My mom painted the ceramic cat to honor our 12-year-old cat who had recently died. Today is also the anniversary of when my mom passed away. We miss you.

the flowered cat
in its new home
her eyes catch
the same sunlight
you had while you were painting

empowering

native plants through

honeysuckle removal

the bee balm

restoring itself

tabletop launch pad--

the matchbox car 

rockets into space

before splashing down

in the cat's water bowl

the two of us exploring 

the kimmswick bone bed

what would it be like 

to stand in the shadow

of a mastodon