Stray

Plastered pictures
prowl the pavements,
street lamp spotlights
casting you to the shadows and
alleyways you quick step between
to find warmer beds and plentiful bowls
to fuel a lifetime - creature with habit.

Yet although heavy in guarded armour
and lighter in lives - once nine
You land on all fours

Glossing over the feral
in shiny black coats
and from the lamp-post posters
the corners curl a grin,
arched in recognition
eyes dancing with a life
gone missing.