The black cat is, alternately, glaring at me and sending pleading looks through the kitchen window, where it has found a suitable ledge to perch while attempting sophisticated inter-species communications. It parallels me along the western side of the house, becoming a shadowy image visible through the frosted glass of the bathroom as I wash and preen. The cat is a constant, complaining presence and a yowling reminder that autumn winds are blowing outside, and that the puss-level temperature is steadily declining.
The dark menace hurls itself, at the wire door fronting the house, having learned in better days, clever ways of self-opening a cat-flap from inside. The frame of the door is too heavy to be moved, and a source of cat frustration, even anger. The change of circumstances is beyond the capacity of a cat to grasp, but there will be no relenting now, the decision has been made. The cat will become an urban, outdoors dweller despite ecological un-soundness and risk to wildlife, primarily introduced bird species, but possibly crested pigeon or purple necked parrot.
Poor black cat. It could have been better, couldn’t it? If the bell around your neck had worked with any success at all. If you had less well developed instincts for the hunt and for the play. If I had tolerance for the dance of feathers through every room in the house.
Watch me through the kitchen window, shadow me to the bathroom and hurl yourself against my door if you must. For right or for wrong, your time inside is over.
© Frank Prem, 2001
05/01/18
Poor black cat 🙂 Amazing writer/poet you are. Thank you, Love, nia
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Thank you.
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“If I had tolerance for the dance of feathers through every room in the house.”
what a beuatiful way to express this. Loved it. Thank you, Love, nia
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Thank you Nia.
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I feel sorry for the poor little cat, so much so that I hope this post is a piece of well written fiction. All creatures have a home of some description and cats attach themselves to theirs. Poor little cat.
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I seem to recall that all ended well for the cat. Thanks Sue.
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Pleased to hear it! I enjoyed the read
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So sad that cat story, yet don’t we all really want to be in our own territory…even if not healthy? Outside of life-inside of life-the grass is ever so attractive on the other side.
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I seem to recall the cat was a great survivor and an absolute opportunist. No bad endings.
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Cats are like that…they have minds of their own. Waiting for the next opportunity to be in charge!
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Yes Pat, I remember this one clinging to the wire door, giving me the evil eye. Could have been trying to hypnotise me, I think …
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Great story here – the voice, the tone, the inflections and wonderful capture of how the tension sets the pace. I enjoyed reading this, despite the “poor kitty circumstances” but am glad that in the end, things worked out, as concluded by reading the comments 🙂
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They always land on their feet, or so I’ve heard.
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Poor black cat! Some just don’t know how good they had it until they have to deal with different circumstances. I love the descriptive words in this piece. Very well written!
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Was definitely a grudge bearer, If I remember rightly. Gave me such a look. Thank you.
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Love this! Cats are powerful communicators!
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Great creatures of myth. Thank you
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