Meow, Meow

The Vanishing Act The story started a few months back. After COVID had erupted My daughter was allowed ‘working from home' And came over to live with us. One damp evening We had a little guest Alone he came and said ‘meow" to my daughter, Soon he became The newest addition To our little family. "Brownie" we named him Always scared of Any moving object He never ventured out But reigned like a king Within the four walls Of our small but sumptuous house. Our outer yard And the garden full of trees were home To a large variety Of birds and animals. Sparrows, mynas and pigeons A tiny little green bee eater Cuckoos and woodpeckers A squirrel family on the mango tree A pair of dotted doves Sat on the high palm tree Exchanging their vows of love. A spotted eagle flew at a height With its eyes sharply focused It's prey moving on the ground. A lone black parakeet sang melodiously on the mango tree. Their songs, chirping and tweet The squirrels' squeaks sweet On the mango tree full of fragrant flowers All made the mornings most melodious Which even the cacophonous caws Of the ravens did not disturb. As the kitten grew up all these started to vanish. Except the ravens. When did it all start and when did it end we didn't notice. But, now the only sound in and around the house is 'meow, meow'.