Prayer to a Cat's Death

Thank you, Tbird, for this lovely verse:

Day of a Cat's Death (from the Egyptian Rites of Bast)

The occultation
of the sun
by the heart
is observed

The sky
looks away

and occludes
with clouds

The trees
are hung

with lamps
of ash

Do not talk
to the wind

which is paying
its respect

Do not talk
to the night

with its dark
head bowed

Bast is joyous
The goddess

holds another
in her arms

She is licking
the death

from its eyes
and whiskers

as though
it is

more precious
than a newborn

Her breath
of milk bathes

and anoints
the appointed one

There is nothing
kinder

than death
she purrs

The eye and lash
of the goddess

make a nine
lying down

The stars hush
and make room

A paw print
presses

into the wall
of time

The moon
comes late

lonelier
than ever

to say one word
Selah.