my dog
would have willingly
followed me
into hell
my cat
would prefer waiting
to see
if I return
cats
here he comes
here he comes
the cat
slinking up the stairs
to hop on the bed
where he clearly feels
he belongs
always the cat
always the cat
climbing on whatever
chair desk bed cabinet
necessary
to remind me
he’s still around
we like a cat
we
like a cat
huddled under blankets
on a bed
in a home
it knows
escaping
that bitter wind
blowing cold
from outside
when melancholy sits heavy
he comes
when melancholy sits
heavy
on my shoulders
tentatively perches
on the arm
of my chair
gently lifts
his paw
to touch my face
then settles
on my left arm
an anchor
keeping me
from floating off
into space
a piece of heaven
dogs bark
on the street
down below
the cat sleeps
undisturbed
clutching my left arm
his piece
of heaven
looking for love
the cat
inches his way
across the floor
looking for love
and an arm
to cradle
the cat, my arm
the cat
wraps himself
around my arm
his only constant
in a world
of changes
the unknown
future
just outside
the door
jump shot
just when
sleep
overtakes me
the cat
jumps on
the bed
but
it’s not
what I
long for
but
at least
the cat
is affectionate
Leonard Durso 