arbi

The downstairs cat 

has a swollen foot 

and must be taken to the vet

to have it looked at.

He is not a beautiful animal

mangy and unwashed

but he is fed, daily 

and called to

by children in their 

evening play.

If he were to be hurt

as he is now 

he would be put in a basket

and driven to the doctor

to have his wounds looked at

his pain seen. 

It is hard to believe

that this world still has room 

for gentleness.

But the cat is downstairs again

fed, cared for, healed.