Cat Journal

The Cat To A Child

the cat learned to crouch, first
after sounds ushered in
cautious children
rosy cheeks that boasted
of thick books as crisp
as lapping milk to a cat

before the squeaking of
a door
the tall school windows
explode into scorched
mirrors to measure the
strength of the sun
until children could come
home to pet the cat

the cat measured these
sounds
against the hands holding
a butterfly net
all of the children
gathered around the cat
with one loud stitch,
one large clap