Produced by Dennis Camire

This week’s poem is by Nick Stone of MacMahan Island.

 

I TAKE GREAT COMFORT FROM THIS CAT
By Nick Stone

 

I take great comfort from this cat

and since you ask — my reason’s that

she goes about her business now

sedately, and a little slow

but with us humans on her screen

something we’d never earlier seen

 

she used to dash about all day,

sunning at times, but mostly play

and then at night go on the prowl

for mice or toads or snakes or fowl.

then bring them home to our dismay

and proudly spread them on display

 

but otherwise we played no role

aside from filling up her bowl

no petting would she tolerate

in winter — sitting on the grate

for her our laps were out of bounds

with no contented purring sounds

 

she lived from us apart, aloof

surviving by her claw and tooth

We loved her, yes and we aspired

to closeness sitting by the fire

but not for her such mushy stuff

her primal instincts were enough

 

but now with many seasons passed

we see her warming up at last

she jumps into our waiting laps

she cuddles with us when we nap.

at night she’s always on our bed

or in — which she prefers instead

 

so how explain this change of heart

her new affection’s recent start?

has nature said she’ll soon need help

with food and shelter warmth and health?

or does she see it’s we who’ve changed,

needing her comfort as we age?

 

Dennis Camire can be reached at dcamire@cmcc.edu

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Dr. J.F. True’s Elixir: The medicine that made Auburn famous

Next »

Mystery Photo for February 3, 2019