Cat On My Lap

By Bo Crandall

I was just

about to get

out of my chair

that my coffee and I

were enjoying

when

my cat

jumped into

my lap.

As we sat there

(one of us taking a bath)

I started looking around.

If I were to get up

I could

do all of those dishes.

So many dirty dishes in my life.

I could

tend to those wet clothes in the washer.

I could

fold the clothes in the dryer.

And I must

sweep these floors

someday.

But I have a cat in my lap.

And she’s

just started

kneading me.

And if I were

to get up

I could

answer that phone

that has started ringing.

After all

I do know

who

it

is.

Ami.

Ami the dish.

Pretty,

pretty Ami.

Whose smile can

overpower

a solar eclipse.

Whose eyes can

warm you

through and through

on a frozen

February night.

Whose voice

giggles

and moans

are as comforting

as an afternoon rain

in August.

The Ami

whose speaks of

marriage

children

and

long lives

together.

The Ami

of walks

through the sands

by the sea

at sunrise

together.

The Ami

of slow dancing

on the porch

under a hot summers’ moon

together.

The Ami

of hours of

laughter and

conversation

with the gang

in

a loud tavern

crowd

together.

My Ami

of sleepy

and cozy,

warm and quiet

Sunday mornings

alone

together.

If I were to get up

I could

answer

that ringing

telephone.

But I have a cat on my lap.

And she has just

gotten

comfortable.

And if I were to get up

I could

hear

her voice.

And we

would talk

together

about

last night.

About

the Ami

and the man

that I

ran into

last night.

We could

talk about

last night

together.

We could

talk

about her anger

at me

for seeing

her

and

what

was going on,

again.

We could

talk

about me

saying nothing,

just seeing

what

was going on,

again.

We could

talk once again.

She could

plead again

for forgiveness.

She could

profess again

her love.

She could

promise again

her faithfulness.

We could

talk again.

I could

forgive her again.

I could

accept her

words,

oaths,

and tears

again.

I could

make everything

right

in her world

one more time

again.

But I have a cat in my lap.

And she has

just fallen

asleep.

And all

of the dirty dishes

in my life

will just

have to

wait.

© 2020 Carter Crandall

Comments

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on September 28, 2020:

Sad situation, but a kitty cat can make your troubles disappear. At least for a few fleeting moments.

Enjoy those precious moments with the cat. Everything else can wait.

Great write.