POEM FOR TOM

POEM FOR TOM

it’s one helluva
gradient

from
   alphabet blocks
to
  drowning Prufrock

that sledge hurtling
downward
through the poem.
at the beginning of your
most epochal
poem

but do not
forget the cats, must not
ever ever ever
forget
   the cats, little Sasha
meows

for when
you are out in death deserts
wondering what it
was you
missed that
the thunder said
and someone ghostly, incredible,
always walking
beside you

little Sasha is there
bouncing along
       avatar of life, beside
you too

though
   perhaps
        in my world of high
and deep
inspired by you
I haven’t seen her yet