Sanctuary

Dear uncle, sold her into Into the purest kind of slavery Hood-eyed little middlemen profited From damaged goods along the way Good angels brought her back To a last Nepal summer Debased and hollow-faced A smile might become her Now, she's cozied up, cozied up And comforted in the warm flush of September Gone before winter, wondering as to might-have-beens Somebody's daughter in sanctuary, waiting Seen through softer cage of kindness Far and further, still away From time-warp Victorian zoos Where staring ice cream gameboys play Big paws, worn claws and swishing tails More damaged goods in the market sales Too proud for anger, too late for hate Resigned in dignity Gone before winter, purring might-have-beens Somebody's kitten in sanctuary, waiting Gone before winter, wondering as to might-have-beens Somebody near you in sanctuary, waiting