STANLEY DIED

RIP, hairless rat wonder

Stanley died
for days – for at
least one week we
knew death was coming whether
instant or laborious the result
is the same the last hug is
always the saddest – his plump
body gone bony his limbs
limpid, weak – he seemed
weary, resolved not afraid of
death coming as if he knew
he was going to heaven – because
all pets, they all go to
heaven.

-Ryn Gargulinski, 10/15/08