Orangeberry Book of the Day – Four Paws (The Quillective Project)

One True Cat

Scott Morgan

there is no cat
but the One True Cat.
all others
are projections
of the One True Cat.

and Cat,
Cat will leave no empty cardboard box unoccupied.
Cat will sing with pride
at six a.m.
and bring you gifts
and you may put that word in quotes,
but do not let Cat see you write it
down,
for Cat will make Himself at home
on your notebook
and make play toys
of your crumpled notes.
Down!
and Cat will disobey.

and Cat,
Cat will calculate the timing
of your footfalls;
Cat will time them so that you fall
down,
and Cat will disappear.

Come Here!
but Cat will disengage.

and Cat,
Cat will always know the proper time.
Cat will remind you until you show him
food.
Cat will hunker,
Cat will hunt
at five a.m.
and you will stir
and Cat will know it’s time to play,
but you will not wake
up.
you will drift
and Cat will tap your sheets
until you invite Him
up,
but Cat will disdain
and you will roll away
trying to ignore Cat.
But Cat will disallow.

and Cat,
Cat will have your chair.
your ass is but a battery for heating seats
to Cat,
and Cat will take your seat
and Cat will never
move.
Cat will do His best impression,
of a speed bump
in your living room.
Move!
But Cat will disobey.
and Cat,
Cat will make a lollipop of plastic bags
at four a.m.
Cat will leave no plastic bag untasted.
Cat will leave no belt buckle unjingled.
Cat will leave no shelf un-slept upon.
and Cat will be relaxed
and more refreshed than you,
and you will shake your head at Cat,
and Cat will be disinterested.