Stray Cat Story

tonight i wonder
where you’ve gone
pacing and dancing
kniting shoulders
under fur still fleecy
hungry and yowling
so much
i took refuge indoors
last night
convinced you were mad or
rabid from the air
prairie practice had turned
thick and sweet

your yellow eyes peered around the corner
and waited for a kind gesture
so curious as I
inked the ribbons
guarding the vestibule
if there weren't the dog to contend with
I’d have let you in.

this morning i find you sitting
on the stoop
convincing everyone you are mine.
i vow
to
marry cat and dog
if only you are here
tonight

marmelade
resists the gelatin
tonight


you are
echo
admist shrieks
of neighbour women
finding it hard
to distinguish ache from escstacy

i go inside
and imagine
the hunger in your eye
the morning ritual of goodbye
the soft curl around my calf
tonight
tonight
tonight