Vet Bill

How much have I spent this year

Trying to fix it?

Jesus, half of my salary on this vet bill.

What's the point?

Bet it won’ t even survive

Past Christmas.

Weeks of work, down the drain

To fix its

Dragging tail

and back pain

It’s rusty cries

It’s muddles main

Neutered it first,

Then I took its claws

Filed down its teeth

Planted a chip in its jaw

I got all the permits

It ain't against the law

At least, not anymore

F**k, it leaves these big, bloody footprints

Cross the floor

Through the living room,

The tiles in the kitchen

Down the stairs

And there it is, you can't miss it and

Oh

Oh god

What… what happened?

It's just lying there

Lying in all the blood it tracked in

I thought it just killed another dog,

Been killing them off for a while

I mean, can you blame it?

Its built into its mind

To hunt and 

To run and

To survive.

I mean, there’s no better hunter than a lion.

But it’s right there.

Dark red, staining the carpet!

Oh for f**k’s sake, why’d it have to get this far?

Couldn’t it have just died in the car

On the way back from the vet

Jesus, i spent all this money

Paying for this cat

Time and effort and all that

I get from my work!

All i have to show

Is a dead corpse of a king

A king that died long ago

Before i had it

Before the bills

A king that passed the moment

It was taken away from it’s… his kingdom

Away from his crown.

A king that died alone

In the dark, without a sound.

And all i have

To show for his death

Is a corpse

And some papers

And these medical bills!

Author's Note

My motivation for writing is to build on stories that I've been making up for years, while also improving my style and ability. Reviews are welcome and appreciated greatly, as long as they are constructive. Please be mindful of how you word your replies, and please remember that anyone can see your reviews. I would really prefer for this to remain a space of encouragement and creativity. Thank you!