Cara Alson

Butterscotch Cat

Butterscotch cat

stretched out

in the dusty road

napping in the sun

ears alert

tail twitching

A car rattles

up the road

slowing, no room to

go around the

butterscotch cat

The car stops

inches away,

the patient driver

staring at the

butterscotch cat

Slitted eyes glaring

head slowly lifting

letting out a

heavy sigh

rising with a

flick of his tail

Begrudgingly

the calico cat

gives up

his place

in the sun

© 2002

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Echoes in Time

Girls in ponytails

huddled on the sand

sipped icy sodas

listened to the radio

flirted with lifeguards

dreamt of lives

they’d never have

Boys with peach-fuzz chins

played beach volleyball

ran in the surf

showed off their tans

dreamt of lives

they’d never have

White-haired ladies

huddle around the table

brag about grandchildren

play cards

replay memories and

missed opportunities

they’ll never have again

Balding men

sit by the pool

baste in the sun

play cards

replay memories and

missed opportunities

they’ll never have again

Bright sunlight

chatter and laughter

blue-green water

choppy in the

summer breeze

Days pass

dreams go by

the rhythm of life

plays on

edging towards

another tomorrow

© 2001

Published:

06/02 - Poetry Life & Times (online)

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Comfort Zone

I found a country garden

Hidden by dense shrubs

Where muffled traffic passes

And jets drone overhead

Cobblestone walkways

Potted greens and blossoms

Plaster dogs and watering cans

Wind chimes accompany the breeze

Someone has made a refuge

Of peace and harmony

A bubbling fountain

Rocking chairs and

Stretching shade trees

Birds and squirrels come

To look for crumbs

And drink at the fountain

They appreciate the effort

© 2002

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Sign of Life

Taxi at a standstill

surrounded by pedestrians

crushed fifteen deep

drooling monsters

straining to glimpse

a pedestrian trapped

under the wheels

no sign of life

Rescue arrives but

can’t get through

the monsters won’t budge

might miss something

the last twitch of life

“He must’ve been a drunk”

they shake their heads

oh, look at the time..

have an appointment..

shoes on sale..

must be going..

On their way

to busy lives

in a busy city

too busy to weep

for a poor soul crushed

under the wheels

no sign of life

© 2001

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Pet Adoption Day

(Yawn) Hmm? Hey, what’s going on? Who is this strange human that’s picking me up, waking me from a warm, sweet nap?. Put me back with my mother and my brothers! Easy...easy... watch out for my tail.. Okay, I’ve landed in a soft spot. In fact, this human is soft all over, and it has a soft voice, too. Gee, it almost sounds like my mother’s purring. Well, that’s nice. I’m being stroked behind my ear... I feel like... like I might... might fall asleep...

Ooooh, a good stretch feels so good after a nap. It must be time to eat. Or time to play with my brothers. Hey! Where are they? And where’s my mother? I don’t know this place. Oh, here’s that nice soft human again.

“Take me home! Can’t you understand me? Take me home!” Darn, it doesn’t seem to understand Feline. Maybe my family’s around here somewhere.

Oh, there’s a bowl of milk. I’d better hurry before my brothers show up and take it all. Hmm, nobody else is coming to eat. All this is for me? I don’t have to share? Maybe this place isn’t so bad after all. There’s the bed I was sleeping in, and there are some neat toys. Where’d the human go? I’ll try calling it.

“Come play with me!” Hey, here it comes - that was easy. I bet I could get it to do almost anything I want.

Oh, I know what this is! I heard my mother telling some of my brothers about it. What was that word? Pit. Pot. Pat. Pet. That’s it, pet! Gee, I didn’t know it would be my turn so soon. I’m a little young, but I guess I can handle having a pet.

© 2002