NAMELESS

Our favorite barn cat gave birth last night. 

Four perfectly formed kittens -

Two dark, two light. 

My children smiled down on them for a while, 

Giving names that suited. 

Today, we could tell there was trouble. 

The huntress was pacing and agitated, 

Yowling and upset. 

We discovered her secret... 

A fifth kitten yet to be born. 

A delivery stalled. 

Blood soaked the towels with its crimson bloom. 

Tiny paws peeked out. 

Hours passed, yet no progress. 

It was time for drastic measures. 

My eldest is not afraid of messy challenges. 

She grasped what she could, and pulled the kitten out. 

It may have been dead already, 

Or it may have been due to the effort

Its body stretched out as if life had asked too much of it - 

Already, before it was even born. 

Nameless.

So as not to be grieved too hard.