This little one, neatly made, quick to jump to a high place, either for resting or vantage, or with tiny paws flip a blanket over her own curved, snuggling back: agile, heat-seeking, comfort-loving, curious, adept … changeable moment to moment, yet she is definite, predictable: creating her life with both whim and established habit.
A fine intelligence shines from her eyes. She is knowing, sums me up every moment. She is wise, accepting my limitations: I’m only human. She is demanding, knowing her due; miaowing bugle-call loud when she needs: food / a clean litter tray / scritches and cuddles (reasonable demands, I say).
Tit for tat. When I stroke or hug her, she purrs deep, nestles in. I kiss the top of her dainty, wee head. One afternoon, lying down for a nap, I rouse to find her licking my hair just where it edges my forehead – grooming me, like one of her kittens.
The smallest cat I ever had, and the sweetest-natured, she is nevertheless queen of her domain. I only live here.
We both know my function: to care. We both know hers: to be, thereby to delight.
Written for FridayWritings #191: Small but Beautiful, at Poets and Storytellers United. I've also attempted to write this as a flash poem: a form of prose poetry characterised by brevity and intensity. (My first attempt. Not sure I've pulled it off.)
Pretty cat, tiny but ruler of HER domain. Our daughter has a male Risian Blue who was a rescue cat. He acts like a female cat but rules his house. We haven't had a cat since Farah died. Couldn't keep her off the sheets so she became an outside cat. She didn't mind, would bring us mice she had caught.
ReplyDeleteThey are all so individual! Poppi has to be an indoor cat, as she has always been profoundly deaf. It would be dangerous for her to go outside. Luckily she shows no inclination to do so, but I am still careful about shutting doors etc.
DeleteA delightful piece, Rosemary. We get so attached to our pets and they. to us, of course.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed. Yes, it's a lovely symbiosis!
DeleteWhat a darling little muse you have at home. Hierarchical lines blur when we connect with our pets and become caregivers to one another.
ReplyDeleteYes, Poppi and I take it in turns to mother each other.
DeleteCats are adorable. They enrich our lives and deserve 5 star treatment. Poppi is a gorgeous companion for you.
ReplyDeleteYes, she's perfect for me at this stage – two old girls together, who understand each other well.
DeleteShe's certainly small but beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I think it's okay to have paragraphs in a flash poem.
And a haibun, without the haiku ending will qualify as a flash poem?
I imagine you're right on both counts. (You are certainly right about Poppi being both small and beautiful!)
DeleteOh so sweet She does look after you. I love cats We have a red one We got her when she was already 7 as a man had to go to a home and couldn't take her cat. It took a while for her to adjust but she is now the boss here too
ReplyDeletePoppi was 10 when she came to be with me. Her previous owners had to move to a place where they couldn't take Poppi – who is now 14 and a half. I arranged to meet with her a few times at their place before she moved in with me, and that they brought her here and helped her settle in. So she adjusted fairly readily.
DeleteWe all need a special little friend who we can care for and who cares for us too - unconditionally - I am glad you have Poppi - Jae
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right! I wasn't planning to get another cat after Selene died, but Poppi came along just as I was beginning to feel a little lonely. Not that I don't have good friends, but as you say... And she turns out to be a perfect match for me, as I for her, at this time of our lives.
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