Your whiskers were grey
As long as I knew you-
You came to us from another world I think
Already ancient and wise
In your movement

(You understood us
So much better than we understood you.)

Olive!
Our little teapot
Our little steward

You remind me how different two things can be
And still love each other.

You waddled up to us
In our lowest moments
And if you got heavier over time
It was only because your fur
Became so heavy with our tears

I hope that we scratched your belly enough
And I hope that you knew your own name because
You had a gentle, poised one
That suited you well.