What do you dream, Mariah my kitty?
What do you dream?
Do you dream a lion’s dreams, red meat ready, new each day?
How disappointed are you when I serve canned food one way?
Do you dream a panther’s dreams, wild sleek as you stalk your prey?
You know I see you stretch like that each time you and I play.
I see you poised to catch live squirrels and birds through your TV window.
I think you’d find that harder than the toys I tease you with.
I curl like you in my frequent cat naps, but still don’t know
what you dream, my dear Mariah kitty.
What do you dream?
Thanks to you I’ve discovered I’m an animal as well.
Thanks to you I’ve climbed down from the human pedestal.
I know I wouldn’t find wild beasts friendly as a domestic cat.
Indeed, I’m sure I look and smell like food beyond this habitat.
You’ve traded down quite a lot to share a home with me,
so I hope you get pleasure from how hard I try to please.
Thank you for your purr and poise, thank you for your company.
Thank you for your claws, noise, and stare when you want snacks from me
But tell me what you dream, sweet Mariah.
Tell me what you dream.
April Poetry Challenge Day 20
My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2023 Susan L. Chast
My new favourite! I LOVE this - the wondering what she is dreaming, the recognition these beloved creatures give up something when they agree to live with us. (Yet their lives would be harder without.) I love that you see the animal in her, and in yourself, with her. Wonderful!
ReplyDelete