Paiwacket the Cat

Blue eyed bandito,
masked and black faced
lying next to me –
Do you know how lovely you are?

Do you care?

Your round belly and waddling feet
tell me I feed you too much.
I try to stop but then you cry,
and I cannot limit you.
I will not be my mother –
not even to you.
I love you too much.
Is that true? Even possible?

Your sandpaper tongue
licks my face as you purr
loudly in my ear
and I know you’re happy.
How I wish my life
was that easy to fix.