The Stray (Conflation)

There was snow on the

ground when they appeared

for the first time: four feral

cats playing in the empty

lot behind the fence.

Could not let them starve,

so started putting a bit food

out each day. By summer,

three had moved on, and

only one remained: a

scrawny  tri-color female

nick-named Ragamuffin

who finagled her way

into our house and life.

Each day when I arrive

at work I find him in

his usual spot-- on the

sofa near the lobby

where he can observe

all who come and go.

At 94, mobility is limited

to use of a walker, but

his mind is still sharp.

He is a “fixture” in this

nursing home, an enigma

of sorts; attracting friends

just by nodding hello to

all who pass--residents,

employees and visitors alike.

Amazing how the little

strays captured our heart

to become family.

©  Ginny Brannan November 2011

*Recently at d’Verse Poets Pub, emmet wheatfall hosted a Meeting the Bar entitled Conflation. It means “To bring together: meld or fuse; to combine (two variant texts, for example) into one whole. I found this intriguing and thought I would give it a shot, though I did not get done in time to post on that day. The Challenge: Write a poem that is constructed using conflation. This means the poem must possess at least two different, wholly unrelated themes package together.

Not sure if this works, but this was my composition for the topic.    http://dversepoets.com/2011/10/27/meeting-the-bar-critique-and-craft-conflation/   
Dedicated to my favorite resident Kenny, who passed away on 10/28/11. Fondly remembered.
Sharing at d'Verse Poets Pub Open Link Night #18, 11/15/11