Play-biting?

nips for me to learn
the intricacies
of cat-speak

Deciduous Fauna

leaf light
the traveler sits still
and finds himself a signpost
for other wanderers

Freeze

Under snow shower
Nervous hare twitches
Hawk on the prowl

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Sheep Surprise

a lone hiker cresting
over the mountains…
two woolly locals!

Nighttime Trek

under an obscuring
snowfall
hidden moon
silent she-wolf

Falconry

This hawk shuns the wide sky
his foot is tethered with a bell
a promise made and kept
to his wingless mate below

Beasts of Burden

Against ripe corn fields
Twin dark manes beset by wind
Still plow and toil

The Disappearing Mr. Mistoffelees

Black and tuxedo cats
are the least likely to be adopted from the shelter
and the most likely to be strays.

I found one at a Jewish graveyard
who stayed all day under a bush
once I had fed him and passersby began doing the same
he was too afraid to leave a place with regular meals
and greeted me with head-butts.

Weeks later, he was gone.

I found one brushing against my legs
as I ate by the dockside
meowing plaintively at me
until I combed through its back and found
sharp bones underneath my fingers.

The restaurant nearby didn’t own it
so I left it a can of cat food
I bought a few blocks away.

It meowed as I left
but could not leave
its meal behind.

It was gone the next dusk.

I called no one because the no-kill shelters are full.
Because my building can’t let me home a pet.
Because in reality, I am allergic to cats.
Because all the people I asked once before said no.

Because no one wants a black or tuxedo cat.

Humans are prejudiced with their animals, too,
and prefer the aesthetic appeal of stripes
or the cuteness of kittens.

Miss Missy is a Lion

Miss Missy is a lion
prowling through
the Serengeti

She makes this quite known
when I accidentally trip
upon her on the stairs

Although her eyes sting
and her tail crooks
where I’ve trodden
she yowls fearsomely
and scratches retribution

Doorstep Cat

Someone abandoned a basket at my door
A black and white kitten with two little paws
Perched over the rim with a wary twitch
Scared frozen though I’m sure the itch
Of wanting to flee throbs strong with fear
So I’ll wait a while before I hold him dear
And tell him, from now on, your home is here.

Writer’s Note: Today marks my 3rd year here on WordPress! Thank you readers, for sticking around. =)