My heart is bursting with affection 

for this tiny, fury thing.
My little gruff companion, 

all toes and tail, 

all tongue and teeth.

It seems silly to compare 

the love I have for this thing 

to the love of a mother, cradling

her child. For surely this love pales 

in comparison to the intensity

felt by a woman 

having given birth.

But, compare I do, for she is

my newborn, my sweet baby girl.
Since I saw her face and rushed 

to the shelter to take her home.
Since I first held her against me

and couldn’t think of letting go.
She is always a step behind

(or a step ahead, depending), 

and I promised her it would always be 
“just you and me.”

Sometimes I wonder if a heart like mine

could ever feel this for a human child.
Could ever want to.

05/15/2014

Posted on 05/17/2014
Copyright © 2025 Rachel Johnson