The Cat-Bird Seat

[David Nelson Bradsher]

Our table was the setting for
the aviary breakfast that
took place outside the kitchen door.
We watched it with the cat

who, in the long tradition of
a feline-driven expectation,
stared with a look akin to love
(and requisite frustration).

An indoor cat, she prowled the house
lacking the primal satisfaction
in the sage capture of a mouse
or any agnate action.

“Poor cat,” you claimed, “just wants to play.”
I disagreed. “She wants to eat.”
We sparred for fun, but either way
the cat evinced defeat

in tortured viewings, through the glass,
of birds convening for the seed,
which offers them the chance—en masse—
to gather and to feed.

The house cat watches—still inclined
to suffer at the scene—
her eyes a spangled hue, resigned,
of solemn yellow-green.

[mfwilkie]

Cute one, D.

[David Nelson Bradsher]

Thank you, Maggie.

[MichaelFirewalker]

love the "look akin to love"
helps me see that cat
so very clearly

have often felt sorry
for those apartment cats
never allowed outdoors

such incredible predators
denied most
of what it is to be a cat

at least housecats can
usually go in and out
their dead treasure left about
as gifts for you on your porch
or not quite dead yet
of course...


michael

[David Nelson Bradsher]

Thank you, Michael.

[Tina (Firefly)]

My fluffy grey cat, "Catalina", loves to run the length of our house and play with all of her stuffed animal mice. She watches the birds and squirrels out the window and is perfectlly content to be a house and lap cat. I do like this, and especially like the meter you have so successfully established. Really cute and well written. Tina

[David Nelson Bradsher]

Thank you, Tina. Shanti is usually pretty happy being in the house, but give her a nice scene outside and she wants to take part. I appreciate it.

David