Once a cat throne, purple fabric folded high,
a soft gray dent worn in the middle
from plenty of sleeping

before that, a frustration, 
a needy project requiring more
fabric, more time, more money

at the beginning, a class at the quilt store,
fun afternoon with a friend,
layered with disappointments,
like the coordinating colors of the Jelly Roll
which were not quite enough

and now, a race against time,
the cat moved on to softer beds,
the fabric’s all there, investment
made, costs sunk
and all it needs is a few solid hours
to transform
from an unfinished work-in-progress
to a beloved family heirloom
rich with memories.