At the Stray Cat Level of Herself

Written by Cynthia Connell Davis

For Kami

Let me in! Let me in!
But don't touch me.
Give me food! Give me food!
Don't watch me eating.

Don't expect thanks.
Even with my belly full
I remember starving.
I'm still out there
always
and the storm is getting worse.
The Christmas tree is blown over
and the ornaments and the gifts 
are turning into birds and flying out of reach. 

I don't know how to play. 
I never purr. 
Even with my belly full
I remember all there is
to hide from,
to bristle at,
to be scared of,
to shrink from,
to hiss at.
At the stray cat level of myself
I never stop mewing.