The Hawk Kitchen Outpost 7:53am
Again My Sky is opalescent
framed within the window
of My Sliding Glass Door
I can hear the morning birds
the cats are quiet
coffee is ready to pour
The Hawk Kitchen Outpost 8:38pm
Astropithicus is a stately cat —
He sits, shoulders high
above the top step
of My Deck in the evening
overcast by motley clouds
His Blackness is distinct
His Low-lidded Eyes are green
& look straight at Me
through the sliding glass door
Eliza’s Room 10:09am
When a cat knocks
something over
& it breaks
& You try to fix it
too hastily to replace the fractional pieces
You’re left with a unique ornament
of a mother elephant
with baby
& the defining mark of accident
on its left ear
The Tomato-coloured Couch 5:40pm
My be-decked Hand
My be-dazzled Right Hand
with The Question Mark Ring
strokes the black sleek fur
of My Beloved Pet
& shines out to The World
as A Hand of Self-worth
capability far-reaching
& prized for Its clarity
not only in what It wears
but what It commands
The Hawk Kitchen 12:12pm
I am The Little
Second Coming of Christ
wearing My Galaxy Underpants
cleaning cat hairs off
The Tomato-coloured Couch
I Am Here & Everywhere
re-defining God, Jesus
& The World
half-dressed
The Hawk Kitchen 9:43am
When I reach The Age of 122
and People ask Me What’s
My Secret?
I will tell Them:
“I have lived on a diet
high in fat, sugar and salt —
fat for My Blood
sugar for My Disposition
salt for My Tears —
I have had The Love
of A Big Black Cat
named Astropythicus
to soothe My Palpitating Heart
and I have lived
in the Land of My Dreams
where every day
I took to My Magic Pen
and wrote My Life
in Stars”
The Hawk T.V. Room 12:38pm
I got enough sleep
Not The Sleep Of The Dead
still in My Pyjamas
She seems to want Me
close —
My Daughter’s Cat
I tell Her “It’s OK”
I pet Her “It’s All Right”
She gives a breathy mew
& lifts Her Head
to Live
The Tomato-coloured Couch 7:41pm
Oh to be an Egyptian Tabby
dying on Her Mat of Gold
pampered to excess
until the last pet
sees Her through
to the next
Joanna Gilman Hyde 