Siri, self-primping
purr machine and
house cat wanna-be,
begs for attention by
front steps when we
come out for chores.
Handsome specimen:
charcoal on milk white,
wily golden eyes and
graying whiskers, he
avoids photographs
by always walking
toward the camera.
He’s outlived several
rivals; probably on his
eighth cat life by now
(we don’t discuss it)
still efficient hunter
and affectionate pet,
follows us like a dog
back to the old barn.
He will jump on any
lap offered and roll
over for a belly rub.
Now defers to young
cats’ swats or hisses;
lately, i’ve heard him
retching more, found
regurgitated mouse
exposed on sidewalk,
just another hairball?
or aged digestion failing,
like an elderly gentleman
who soon stops eating…
eyes of molten gold just might melt me and my solid resolve meow, Sir Siri, but aren’t you a lapful?! oh yes, you’re the purrr-fect gentleman standing by the door with those cloying eyes that beg to come IN! if I were to acquiesce, would you leap upon the softest pillow and claw me with incessant requests for stroking? insistent rubs for my undivided attentions? though born in a barn, you’re a real charmer, house cat wanna-be, beggar extraordinaire!
searching for any witnesses,
he questioned as if suspect:
“where were you?” he probed
“in my room,” a shocked reply
(nowhere near bloodied body)
at least, victim didn’t feel much,
unexpected and instantaneous.
trucker on road never slowed,
could not see in night’s blackness
didn’t notice impact, drove on.
circles under eyes mark grief
remembered as good mother;
affectionate, gave warm gifts.
she’d lived life until the ninth
when bad luck found black cat.
how often we commit dark deeds;
does ignorance prove innocence?
Linking to dVerse poets. This “mystery” poem fits previous prompt (shades of black) and current prompt (changing perspective). Written in third person about our barn cat found on the road but also thinking of a former acquaintance who was struck by a truck and killed. It’s always sad when animals die but how much more a human being?!
she’s maleficent
so magnificent
black cat
huntress proficient
mercy deficient
poor rat
acting diffident
looking innocent
hiss…spat!
photo by lynn
The “Lai” is an old French form with 9-line stanza(s) of 5 syllables/2 syllables in repeated pattern and rhyme scheme: aabaabaab. Prompted by Grace at dVerse Poets
Playing with “anthropomorphism” at dVerse poetics with Lillian 🙂
fat cat in silky
top hat, walks
sleek this season
(has no reason
to run) saunters
too confidently,
(pompous louse)
directly to famed
doghouse- ritzy,
spacious place
(will absent dog
give chase?)
cat pauses for
grand entrance,
smiles smugly to
paparazzi & me.
then, full of pride,
he slinks inside
to curl up cool
in empty dish;
crinkles pug nose-
where’s my fish?
long afternoon nap
(could be a trap?)
it’s easy to be,
like i already said,
audaciously catty
after dog is dead.
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