Want To Remember

his sagging loose belly
the feel of vertebrae
along his back
the smooth coolness of each
paw's pads the way
he'd spread the toes
when I'd caress
that middle part, let me
rub his belly, pet his paws
take flesh of ear
in between thumb and forefinger
and run over them
from base to tip
his strong forepaws
clasping my arm as I
try to pull away
from petting the gnaw
of yellowed and tartered teeth
on my knuckles
or the sharp claws
he never quite learned
to retract, want to
remember distinct
clear yowl, insistent
stare, tail flipping
feet kicking cat litter
box lid lifting with his
large frame
always the first thing
anyone ever said
upon seeing you
wow, what a big cat.