Kitty Trouble

 

A dedicated sun worshipper in the Costa del Sol,

our kit stretched out on the kitchen table,

normally his viewing platform -

his tail flicked into a frenzy

his throat issuing feral noises

while the flock of actual feral pigeons outside

bicker and joust, parry and lunge

pivot and strike, block and retreat,

flamboyant in their scattering of bird seed,

oblivious to his prying cries.

If you want a carefree breakfast

approach him from behind,

whispering sweet nothings in his ear

extracting him swiftly from his suntrap

before he reads your intentions.

Cover wrists with sleeve cuffs

and be prepared for the box in the ear,

yours this time,

that will probably ensue...

Copyright Cathy Leonard 2025

On Reading Billy Collins

 

Reading instils a sigh and then 

dropped shoulders, your back settling

into the back of the chair

your breath falling

into a poem about poetry-

an empty bridge over a cool stream on a clear day,

not a hint of drama or backstory to ripple the peace.

You fall into that peace 

and then beneath it

to the time before the bridge

to the time before the stream

contemplating nothing in particular

and everything at the same time.

The dog wants you to go into the other room

There's a tray of flapjacks to be baked

and that five minute upper arm workout to perform

But you're so far below the surface of the everyday

that it may be a while before you can emerge

even if you wanted to

look upwards and outwards towards a morning sun 

throwing shadows on gnarled branches 

and burgeoning leaves of lilac breaking through buds, 

and besides,

you still can't hold your arms out in flight mode

for five whole minutes.

Copyright 2025 Cathy Leonard

Billy Collins background