The tortoiseshell cat stalks her prey
without mercy; inheritance from earlier
wilder cats, their DNA
quickening her instincts,
ruffling her fur -
deposits her dead bird upon the mat
then turns tummy-up,
as sweetly as a kitten
seeking pats, and purrs.
I place the small bird in the ground,
and make a shrine to hopefulness:
sunny daffodils, a fragrant
cherry blossom branch
placed upon the mound.
Life and death together listen
for spring's first melody
to sound.
for Kerry's Skylover Word List I used without mercy for merciless, listen,shrine, tortoiseshell, inheritance, fragrant and ground
Domestic and feral cats are decimating the songbird population. Indoor cats with "catios" so that they can enjoy the outdoors without killing wildlife--that's the way to go.
ReplyDeleteNature has her ways which are what they are, and also her beauty. Reconciling the two in a shrine of hope is a lovely solution here, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect, Sherry. A feral cat has taken up residence under my house and he will hunt birds no matter that I feed him twice a day!
ReplyDelete