in a shifting pattern of filtering dust upon the empty hardwood floor.
Dozing peacefully, coal black fur rising and falling,
in serene slumber upon the warm floor, the afternoon shadows grow long.
Dreaming of vittles and tidbits aplenty, unaware of lurking danger, she purrs now and again.
Creeping through the long green
grass and up upon the flower bed,
approaches
the king of all the beasts,
the
terror of the neighborhood,
the
big orange striped tomcat.
Eating where he may, stalking
what he might,
He rules the beasts of his long
street with equal charm,
Not
caring size or shape or even species.
Stalking unsuspecting victims his
delight.
Stirring out of tranquil slumber, stretching languid limbs,
noticing the passing sun has moved to fill the window sill.
Kitty leaps with ungraceful house cat agility.
Lands upon the ledge and stretches comfortably.
Sunlight fading but still warm, the open window brings smells
of outdoor grandeur, the sleepy kitty dozes once again.
Streetwise stripey sees the threat, the thrill of the unchallenged,
a
napping suspect, easy prey.
With an evil snarl he leaps upon
the outside ledge,
His pride, his dignity bold as a
ferocious tiger,
He faces down his enemy,
the
great fat house cat.
Sensing danger, eyes fly open, unfocused from their sunny overdose
nose
to nose with the mighty king!
With a streak of coward in her heart, the black feline
Backward leaps and darts for cover.
Quaking like a falling leaf, banished from her sunny alcove
shamed
by her cowardice,
feeling
safe in her new haven beneath the dusty desk
She stretches once again and snoozes, safe and warm.
