catlessons

    Here are the lessons I've learned from the cats. House cats. They domesticated themselves. Were wild, outside, saw the good deal dogs were getting and pushed open the doors to our homes with their paws and big wide eyes. Just walked in like they lived there and owned a piece. We bowed down to their demands. Found in a sewer, found by a dumpster, found behind a Taco Bell, no matter their origin, upon entering the home they command. They are queens and kings demanding their dues. Worship me. Feed me. Give me your time. Every stray is a show cat, yet somehow less docile.

    Don't settle. Demand what they want when they want it. Touched when they want touched. Not touched when they don't want touched. Bite the hand that feeds you. There are plenty more hands ready to feed me. I don't even need fed. I could hunt. But I'd rather not. Lay in the sun. Sunbath. Blink your eyes slowly. Peer up. What is anxiety? When there are birds which fly outside the window and flowers which sway in the wind?  What is depression? When string curls and moves with captivating glory? What is eating disorder? When nothing feels better than to eat yourself sick? 

    We can charm and tame large creatures to clean it up. Large creatures to grovel and beg for a flip of our tail and a brief rub against leg. Don't be eager. Aloof. Aloof floof. Let them question their reality; their worth. Don't get trained. Don't do tricks. Don't let them know you like them. Power is in their nerves. Shhh....I'm sleeping. I'm napping today and tomorrow. I am high up on the shelf, cry for me to come down. Cry for me. Cry your eyes out. Scream my name. Get mad. 

    Call the firefighters to rescue me from the tree, this I climbed up and could get down. I don't want to. Save me from myself so you can fancy yourself a hero, when I was just daydreaming in branches with the birds I would hunt if I wasn't so fat from your food. Lose yourself in us. Gloat if I choose you. I am licking my paws. I am chewing on my toes. I am cleaning my face. I am watching you scoop up my shit. Cause you like it that way.

    Pat your leg and whisper my name over and over. Stroke my fur till, I tire and nip at your arm. Love the scratches on your arms. I attack. Love my attacks. I am fighting for my life to stay a touch wild. You are fighting for your life to get my attention as I walk away. Strut away. Another room; another world. I flick an ear towards the door. I am big eyed. I am big clawed. I am here by choice. Don't ever forget it. 

    Feel crazy, yet, love? Feel crazy cat lady, yet? You are on the floor, tapping with a single finger, peering under the bed. I am firm in stance beneath. We can lay like this for hours. Hours. I have all the time in the world. I will nap today and I will nap tomorrow. I will sniff you in your sleep. I will walk across your body. I will hide and climb and run and tease. I can run to the neighbor tomorrow, so you better give me what I want today. 

    I am the cat I am. And you are the compassionate sensitive sucker you are. If you don't like me as I am, I will move on. But you will like me. You will love me. You will bow down and want to kiss my triangle ears and jelly bean toes. But I stay just a finger-length away. Till it's my time and my choice, to rub my head on your hand.

    See you tracking the prints in the snow. You seeking me now.