The Princess

I waken to the sound of a rhythmic purr
I keep my eyes closed, I know it is her

It is warm in bed, I am barely awake
I want to drift back, more sleep I would take

The Princess is patient, she has been here before
Her rustle on my pillow, discovered? I am not sure

With half opened eyes, I peek at the clock
But instead see her backlit body, the light being blocked

I pretend to be asleep, she may go away
It is dark, and some days she lets me have my way

The soft touch of a paw gently touches my brow
The purring gets louder, for sure discovered now

I stumble out of bed, she hops to the floor
As I stagger forward, she leads me to the door

Down the stairs, to the kitchen we go
I look out the window, the street lights still aglow

She is hungry you see, my task is to feed
And once I have done this, the morning paper I can read

It is five in the morning, I am now wide awake
The Princess is now feeding, my leave I can take

My day now has started, so coffee I make
When the Princess is done eating, a nap she might take

Later that day on my lap she will hop
And whatever I am doing I will bring to a stop

Like a fifteen pound afghan she nestles in my seat
The purr machine working, her presence is a treat

It matters not what I was doing, to my regal guest
It’s my time to pet her, while she takes a rest

Later that day, perched at the window she reigns
The world, the birds, the squirrels, she ordains

Like a sphinx she sits and watches the day
Her dominion unfolding, her subjects at play

Who is the pet, and who is the master
Who takes care of whom, and what does it matter

I am lucky to have such a friend to take care
These early morning wakeups, a small burden to share

And if I remember to put more food out tonight
She will let me sleep, at least to first light

For the birds will chirp at the coming of the sun
To their music she rises, my sleep soon undone