A Whole Melancholy of Lovers

kitten

i suppose i earned this nickname

from the way i bury my face into you

or the way i curl up in your arms.

the way i kiss you, or when i lick your face

to get your attention.

i feel like less of a kitten

and more like an old, dying cat

that's waiting for release.

because the way you ignore

and push me away when your eyes

can see only the TV screen,

are an obvious indicator

that it's time for me to go.