I live with two cats, and they are spectacular. I dote on them unlike I have with any other cat, or living creature, before. My husband, who grew up thinking goldfish were pets, spoils our cats more than I do (although he will deny this vehemently). Friends and family know not to start a conversation about my cats because I won’t shut up. If I bring my feline family up, I see a wary, cautious look form in the eyes of the person I’m talking to. Yes, we even take pictures of them whenever they do something cute or funny, which is all the time, of course.

It only seems natural that when I’m looking for ideas or motivation to write, I often watch my cats. They alternate between being spontaneously playful and sprawlingly lazy. I love their pendulum –like mood swings. These two poems are fun scribbling. If you want to read some fabulous poetry about pets, I suggest you try Mary Oliver. She has a way of writing about her dogs that makes me feel like I know them intimately.

Writing is Like…

A kitten, who springs onto the counter,

again and again, he practices

jumping. Higher, farther, even higher.

The kitten grows, learning with practice,

until he makes one clean jump,

floor to counter, counter to the highest

peak of all—on top of the fridge.

And so, a poem is born.

Oh, to Live like a Cat

He lies there, wrapped in sun

stained fur, plump as a jelly

filled scone fresh from the oven.

---

His eyes, green like a lizard

by a stream, lazily read my

thoughts. He relaxes his head.

---

Paws gently knead the pillow, his

Tongue, a rough pink sponge,

Kisses the blanket, dreaming of his

---

milky mama-cat. Under my stroking

hand, his pleasure rumbles like the pressure

of an accelerating engine.

---

Half open, his lizard eyes glaze

over like frosting on a doughnut.

I give in to the desire to kiss his

---

head, rub his ears, and he

smiles. As I leave him sleeping,

I head back to life. So human.

Do you ever write poetry about the people or pets in your life? I believe the best writing is about what we know, and I know my cats.