Spirit Level

A poem, a poet’s note and a poetry prompt

Photo by Nadi Whatisdelirium on Unsplash

Cat in kaleidoscope
batting paws at the colored glass
and swishing its tail
trying to pretend it belongs.

You with your patched bag of necessities
rainbow waistcoat studded with tiny mirrors -
I could never see myself in it,
tried to flick back my hair
fell out of step again and
into my minor addictions.

Cat in cuckoo clock
playing with the pendulum chain
chewing on the wooden bird.

You’re out shouting in the streets
unafraid, your voice loud and knowing.
The audience marvel at your inflections,
hover on busy corners to listen.
I hum softly in the coffee shop,
spoon froth off my cappuccino
and contemplate my options.

Cat in large tree
stretched calmly along the branch
watching.