THE WAY IT GOES

The problem is, some sort of

feline encephalitis.

when they get it, they die.

It comes from little nasties

that used to feed on bobcats,

but since we’ve overbuilt,

they have to settle for domesticated

food and that makes my lover

unhappy.

As for me,

I have the same opinion about

cats as they have of us…

We occupy adjacent space and

stay out of each other’s way.

I spent almost a year of spare time

building a screened porch

out back so they could

get some outdoor air,

not stink things up so bad,

and to save the corners of

every piece of furniture in the house.

Gandy and Piesie died anyway,

so only Mudlucious is left,

and a new one she calls Roxie.

I won’t tell you how that

makes me feel.

The back porch,

like all my best laid plans

has become, not a total waste,

but little more than a place for

all the stuff I don’t feel like

putting away anytime soon.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

We are all cat lovers in our house which is just as well because our little minx rules, while the poor dog, three times her size keeps her distance and is fearful of her. Cats ruin furniture with their scratching!! It’s a pain and although I’d quite like to replace some of ours, it will have to wait. Dear Vol, you don’t appear to be a cat lover from what I have read here, although you are happy to live alongside them and tolerate them. All good wishes,

Chris

[Vol]

Chris,
It doesn't matter how much you love your cat, you just know how empty and different your house would be without them...
Vol

[Chris Shaw]

Couldn’t agree more. Their presence is very much felt. They are family,

[Dylan Macadham]

Of Cats, and Labors of love, and a little Deserved procrastination ... Enjoyed it :)

[Vol]

Dylan,
I still remember twenty-five years ago how it felt to fry on a hot tin roof...
Vol

[Dylan Macadham]

Newman, Taylor, St. Ives, you do go back a ways ... 1958 :)

[Eilis]

Seems like no matter how we try to fend off the hardness outside our doors, it will find its way in eventually. The poem speaks to me of the personal price of urban sprawl broadly, but more specifically of how we can show love for someone we love and forbearance for things that we might not choose if we were alone.

The gesture of building the porch shows a desire to provide protection and joy for a lover’s pets. The time and energy spent feels important in the moment —but finally, the outside still finds a way in. The labor can feels superfluous when the porch becomes a glorified garage. But think this is the seat of love after all. The sacrifices we make, the gestures that aim to express the fullness of our feelings.

I guess the hinge is no one ever said the end result had to measure up to the inciting idea. And I think there’s beauty in just the ways we put ourselves forward regardless of the end result. I like how the poem can speak openly, but also more metaphorically according to what we seek in it. I enjoyed this.

[Vol]

Eilis,
Thank you for stopping by... My wife raised Persians, and there were times when we had 36 cats when several had litters of six... I could not complain, the went for $800 each. She had them in forty states and one in Vancouver. She was SO good at it! As for me... "Super Duper Pooper Scooper." and watching the continuing kitty circus playing out everywhere!
Vol

[redd Brick Keshner]

For some reasons cats of all varieties like me in general. Some canines do as well, more than I could comprehend. My nana’s back porch was like an army surplus stock back room but quite a bit more cluttered, I lived in there for a couple of years. So this poem is quite resonant in my case.

[Poetic Beauty]

Cats are cats. They want affection when they want it and not any other time. They are intelligent but don’t listen to commands; little claw wielding rebels much like myself. lol

Sounds like the back porch has become a bit clutters and could do with a good cleaning out.

[Vol]

PB,
Way more than the back porch is cluttered... you should see my mind!
Vol
Vol

[Poetic Beauty]

My mind is an ocd nightmare. I’m pretty sure I have ADHD tendencies and I have so much randomness inside my mind and typically a random song to boot lol

[Betty Hermelee]

I can tell you are not a real cat lover! But you put up with them; it seems your lover is more keen on them... well, I feel exactly the way you do...stay out of their and they will do the same....next time don't wast your time and money on screened porches....or any good furniture for that matter...they are nice to look at!!! Poor Vol, it seems you can't win!!! delightful!
Warmly, B

[Vol]

Betty,
My wife raised Persians for fun and profit for ten years. When she died, I gave 36 beauties to another reputable breeder. I have one smoke P ersian named Phaedra, and an old lady tortoiseshell with no breeding at all. Phaedra is a ghost who disappears and reappears like the Cheshire Cat Alice fame, but Roxie loves me, then only one to ever.

[Betty Hermelee]

i love persian's but only to look at them! ….my seamstress who fixes my clothes has five persians !
warmly, B

[Vol]

They are a fine lapcat... unless you get a shedder, some do and some don't. WE raised "DollFaces so their sinuses were not collapsed, I don't understand why they allow that.
Vol

[Betty Hermelee]

Her Persians she’d like crazy but they are gorgeous! A pleasure always Vol
Warmly
B🌷🌷🌷🌷

[Vol]

Awww, how nice for you to say! Thank you!

[Betty Hermelee]

You are most welcome 😊