The Marmalade Duo (April 12, 2019)

Venus and Squeak (August 8, 2011)

Hello

My old friends

Venus and Squeak.

Thank you

For everything

You’ve given me.

Been 11 years

Since April 7, 2008

Your birth date.

Although

Week would past

Before our first meeting

So long ago.

Over the years

You’re most precious gifts

Have been

Love and healing.

Squeak (March 3, 2011)

Nursing me

Through debilitating migraines

And PTSD flashbacks.

That left me

Virtual prisoner

Within my own body.

And yes

Tears of joy

During the darkest

Of depression.

Laughing

At your silly antics.

Stealing soy milk

From the cereal bowl

Or leaf lettuce

To snack on.

Venus ( June 21, 2011)

Else

Tag teaming

On either side

Of my body.

Pinning me

Unable to move

As you sleep

So angelically.

Please accept

My humble offering

This tin of salmon

On this special day

Your birthday.

Knowing

For the coming nights

And mornings.

My Marmalade Duo

Will hold my bed-hostage

Grooming each other

As I try to sleep.

A small price

That I’m willing

To pay

For your love.

Therisa © 2011 and 2019

Seven (April 7, 2016)

Happy birthday

Venus and Squeak.

I know

Your birth hour is

Between 7 and 8 pm

My loves.

Which happened

On a Sunday

Seven years ago.

But

I couldn't resisted

This impulse

To kiss you

Happy birthday.

Wouldn't surprised me

If you think

I'm daft

At times.

With my behaviour

And actions.

But

Your very presence

In my life

Has had

Very profound effects

Upon me.

In a positive way.

For I can say

Without your love

And compassion

Would have killed

Myself.

Over

The holiday season

Of 2010-11.

Or

The numerous times

That you have helped me

During my PTSD flashbacks

And severe anxiety attacks

By bring there.

So enjoy

This special day

My loves.

I promise

Will serve you

A very special treat

Of Salmon

Tonight.

Sorry

It'll have to be

From a can

And not

A fresh fillet.

Therisa © 2016

Author's note: First met, Venus and Squeak, with their 2 sisters and brother, when they were, a week old, nursing on their mother, Mercury (named after the leader singer, of Queen, Freddy Mercury) and her sister, Rosie. In the following 7 weeks, I could found, around the nursing Mercury and her kittens, sleeping my anxiety away, as the PTSD flashbacks were driving me, insane. They had become my island of sanity, in a torturous world of brutal abusive memories, of my childhood and later on.