Come next mush-bowl, you won’t hear
my steps in the yard anymore.
Don’t worry. Someone will protect you
from the slobbering dog circling uselessly
on his tether in the grassy dirt, refrigerators
roaring to themselves at night.
Forget the crazy red bug made of light
floating from my brother’s hands
and how it would disappear suddenly.
Just keep trying to lull your tail
into a vulnerable stillness and remember
that the shadiest spot in your world to sleep
is under the grape-vines curling around
rusty frames forever.

Oleksa----this is cool----I love your sense of the cat's mind----they have such interesting minds...

michael

Hi Oleksa:

This is very fine - it creates its own world and is rich in images. Some that I especially liked: the line about the slobbering dog; the red bug made of light; and, the ending about the best place to sleep was pure poetry.

Thanks for posting this one.

Best Regards,
John

I love this poem. I've been trying to write a poem about my cats lately- but nothing can capture the beauty and intellect of a cat like i've tried. I love how you described the laser pointer. just two days ago i bought a laser pointer and all three of my cats have been having the time of their lives. hug a cat for me!

-Hannah

Interesting way to say things in lines by speaking to a cat, Oleksa! The details, like those refrigerators, make the effect, one by one.
Vasile

I like this, O.  Does the cat need protection from the refrigerators roaring at night?  Don't get me wrong, I love every image offered in this poem -- just found a slight bump there in moving from the dog on its tether to the refrigerators roaring and a need for protection from both . . .

Always enjoy your work.

lynn

O, Lynn's point addresses an ambiguity you've set up around the context of who is leaving who. There is a very fine line at work here. Too much clarity will make it boring.

larry

Very nice piece.  Reminds me in a positive way fo Burns' "Ode to a Mouse."  It's got that same kind of empathy and eye for detail.

To all--

Wow, I'm very pleased with the responses I've been getting on this, it was just something silly I scribbled out when I couldn't sleep. Thanks to all who commented so far. So, particular concerns:

Hannah-- yeah, my brother bought a laser pointer in Luzern, and though I initially shook my head at him about it, I've got to say it ended up being worth it in the end.

Larry-- I see what you mean, I guess I tried to capture the character of all loss? Just a thought...

Lynn-- of course the cat needs protection from refrigerators =)


Take care,

-O

ah-HAH!  I thought as much!

L

Oleska~ I join the praise for this cat tale. Bewitching, as all things cat-like should be!
enjoyed!
take care~dale

Love that there are so many cat-lovers on this site. Thanks again for the comments.

Take care,

-O

Having been a cat in my previous life, I applaud your insight.  This was a fun read.  Thanks, Moskowitz

Why didn't I see this before? I love it.

Yes to this also

Gooooooood!

e