A keyhole view of you
might
highlight your eyes
gazing
back with a yellow glare,
or
sometimes pleading –
but
mostly
assessing.
You are
in a new place.
You know
how this goes.
You've
played Pass the Parcel before.
Handed
over again,
now you
are simply
learning
the new details.
Kindness
is usual
at first,
or for a while,
but not
necessarily
always a
haven to trust.
You'll
take your time.
You'll
take a lot of time.
A keyhole
view might show
a curling
paw
that
flexes needle claws,
a full yawn
revealing
dagger teeth.
You sleep
with both ears cocked.
In Bits of Inspiration at 'imaginary garden with real toads', we are asked to write a poem that's a glimpse through a keyhole.
This is my first poem for my new cat, Selene. Not the sort of cat poem I'd ever expected to write – but she is teaching me.
The photo is mine and should not be reproduced without permission. © Rosemary Nissen-Wade 2016.
Oooo. A cat on guard! I like the keyhole view. You'll know when to go in for a closer look!
ReplyDeleteI like it, Rosemary. Your message, intended or not, is that once bitten by an unfaithful lover beware the next time, mark your tracks in case you must withdraw, a retreat of what was before.
ReplyDeleteWhatever, it does take longer to fully trust the second or higher time around. Perhaps never, it took me a long, long time. But will have been married 43 years this February.
..
Yes, I think you are right. I should be grateful that this little cat is prepared to accept me to any degree, rather than feeling disappointed that her trust must be earned slowly. At the moment she is sitting on my lap at her own instigation, and I'm very honoured.
DeleteVery clear descriptive word picture
ReplyDeleteYou van never spy on a suspicios cat, no keyhole secretive enough. I hope trust will come...
ReplyDeleteIt is ... slowly, with uneasiness on both sides.
DeleteGod bless you for rescuing your cat! The process is long but the rewards for both are amazing. That's one lucky cat!
ReplyDeleteSuper charming poem, Rosemary--hope that the cat feels more comfortable soon. Thanks. k.
ReplyDeleteIt gives me such a warm feeling to think of an abandoned animal being welcomed to a new home.
ReplyDelete"You sleep with both ears cocked"... but one day, with enough love and patience, you will catch her relaxed and sleeping. Lovely poem.
ReplyDeleteYes, already it happens occasionally. :)
DeleteLove this. I have such a tender spot for cats. I have two of them. One was adopted and one was abandoned and I took him in. Your view the keyhole is perfect. Thank you so much for taking part in the challenge!
ReplyDeleteYour challenge was a gift to me, Susie, enabling me to enter into her feelings somewhat.
Delete