Cat Tails

Cat Tails

The last I saw of you

You were chasing flies beside the blackberry bush.

Then, in the flash of a tail

You were patrolling the neighbouring fence opposite.

I was mentally extolling the virtues of cat speed and agility,

Watching your progress towards the fox-hole in the back flower bed,

Remembering how you used to slip through this same slatted fence

Avoiding unnecessary circum-perambulation.

I considered again your widening girth

And the possible purchase of satiety food

When I spotted you, still chasing flies beside the blackberry bush.

Double take. Not you.

Your mirror image. And given the uncertainty

Of your origins, possibly

Your Ma or Da, big brother or sister.

In a leap you squared up to each other, black tails flag-bearing.

You on the lower ground, your blue neck ribbon attesting

Your advantage in this terrain.

But when your mirror image sprang

You retreated with a yelp in your step

Towards me, and the open back porch door.