Brownie

Soft brown fur,

matted into delicate pills,

roundness pressed flat

after years of comfort

more pillow than teddy.

The hard dark nose of you

play rubbed away,

sienna fading from the black.

Small holes formed

where love had pulled close

then poured, reciprocated,

right back out.

Tenderly they were stitched over

with navy blue thread,

scars from the toils

of being the favorite.

Lost to me now,

I often still long for the shape of you,

I hope you have found new life,

in cuddling arms of another

or if not, then like velveteen,

you are living happily

amongst the wild bears,

having been,

by love,

made real.