Canary Yellow

I can tell I’m making you nervous
the last thing you need
are my ghosts
so I’ll say it here instead—

I saw a ghost when
we got to the Bandera house
it moved along the floor
black, amorphous and small

it moved like a cat would
when called out
I say a cat too because 
I saw it right after 

you mentioned the feral cat 
population, here in the 
cowboy capital 
of the world

literally dozens 
on the porch, 
under it
you tried to leave out food 

but I shooed you off
you tried to take the pipe 
but I had it
Coughing means he's

getting air! You hit me
harder than anyone
is allowed to. I understand 
that for you, knowing 

I am alive is enough