Not so light this year, since Oolong wormed her way through this one.
Sleep, little one, in the year’s dark turning,
Safe now from illness and pain,
Gleam of your eyes in our candles burning,
Raises the memory again.
Oolong, Oola-Boola, Oobaloo,
Slow to trust, then old before your time
Soft fur, trilled purr, set-in-your-ways worldview,
Clumsiest, most beautiful feline.
You’re not forgot, though we will still take joy
In every light we kindle in this dark –
Traditions, comforts, laughter all alloyed
With cat-eye gleams ensconced in every spark.