Compassion

While cleaning my garage, I came across a cat
whose breath was ragged and forced.
She was on her side, struggling for life.
I to move her and keep her warm.

I put her in the well-house with a lamp
and brought her water with some food.
She looked at me with pleading eyes,
begging me for help.

I looked up and saw the pellet gun hanging.
I reached out to retrieve it.
She was so young and had experienced so little.
But what had to be done, had to be done.

The barrel was aimed at her head
and my finger was ready to make the move.
The entire room was silent,
sensing my hesitation, it listened.

My finger wavered and I shook it off.
I released the cat with a single pull of a trigger.