Elegy to Cookie Wookie

Elegy to Cookie Wookie
(April 23, 2013)

Before you appeared
in my vicinity, I dreamed—

A pair of white, well shaped feet
peeking under a sage cloak
each toe inspired poetry.

The face was shrouded,
except for two cat eyes
intent on an object it placed in my hand.

Today my white bathrobe
worn from clingy nails
became your shroud.

Seven years of guarding.
Seven years of purrs.
Each morning
green eyes and snaggletooth.
Each night
a dainty ginger flower.

The April sun
has warmed the soil
in the lily garden.
A blade of weed
among the burial callas.

My eyes are painted
like an Egyptian princess.
I tread soundlessly from room to room—
a kungfu master would never
reveal the depth of her skill.

White stones
for the color of your paws,
brown stones
for the markings on your back,
the Sahara
and its black sand
after sunset.

What takes us away from this earth
is neither old age nor diseases
but a lack of intention.
If the intention remains
then we’re never taken away.

You had placed in my hand
the entire universe
even though I could not read
your mystery.

Photo by Julia Hsu.