491 and 492

These walls are covered in the grimmest grime,

but I have put it there. The marks are mine:

the soots that smirch this house have, over time,

grown much upon my heart in their decline.

I know their patterns. That one looks like her,

and there—now there’s the last thing that she said.

This rot here’s full of such literature

and there, the art of all I deeply dread.

And they have kept me company always,

these marks upon my wall: my many friends.

How comfortable the things this hovel says--

how odd the cleanliness of other dens.

This pit, dug by the souls that, in me, pine.

But, after all, I like this hole of mine.

~~~

Apple Cottage (the pet store) x:

And now, at last, with all eyes drawn in one,

wan Winnifred could tell the wary news:

“The schnauzer, Sparky has gone on the run!

For what, I cannot say, and have no clues.”

She loafed, now, back upon the register.

Her duty was complete—the council drawn.

Another cat might be less lackluster,

but Winnifred really was very wan.

Well. This was much too much for this fine set.

For Sparky was the one to take the lead

the other times the pet store ever met.

What now? Who would, the noble dog, succeed?

They looked each other over, silently…

and while we visit Sparky, there they’ll be: