A Poem for Jade, Upon My Acceptance to Graduate School

Here is the poem I mentioned that I wrote last night.

A Poem for Jade, Upon My Acceptance to Graduate School

Windows rattle with a suddenness
that startles the cat from the back
of the couch. She glares green-eyed
at me as though I called this wind.

Maybe I did. There was news today,
good news, the future I’ve been chasing
is now marked boldly on the calendar.
The wind batters this apartment, but we
have weathered worse and I trust these walls.

In six months I will not know the strength
of the glass and brick surrounding me,
if walls will leak or break or bend.
The cat will be with me, ready
to place blame where it is due.