The elegance of your mobile tail fascinates me,

quiet, gentle movements, cat sign language, all your own.

From a mere twitch to sweeping lashing swings,

so sensitive yet fluent, the echoes of your thoughts.

You are a tranquil, beautiful creature, one moment,

then next, a killing machine, stalking unwary prey.

I watch with awe the flow of your body,

deadly intent or just play?

The prick of your ears that field sounds –

deaf to me, soft so soft your fur.

 

One moment a pliant warm creature on my knee,

the next a sprung trap, a camera’s shutter

though infinitely more silent.

The essence, pliant paws full of sharp claws,

that strike out hard in play hardly leaving a sting

or tiger like to kill some creature in the long grass.

Same smile, terrifying to witness!

Your head so beautiful, ears like direction finders,

feline radar follows tiny sounds.

Your mousetrap mouth,

subtle smile or fierce grimace?

An alluring face or an implacable, driven creature?

 
 

David Garlick, Sidney, November, 2007