Cats

hackles standing up
prowling the streets in darkness
looking for a fight
–
captured moonlight-
eyes blazing
in the dark

a bottlebrush tail
the cat readies to pounce on
the bat by my door
–
cans clatter-
small marauders
stalk the alleyway

wind at the windows-
as I move to tend the fire
the cat takes my seat
–
late winter morn-
my calico sleeps
in a patch of sun

two dark silhouettes
framed in the open window
sitting side by side
–
tails twitching-
warm dreams
in the sunlight

glowing yellow eyes-
pure malevolence lurking
within the shadows
–
soft underbelly-
the sudden turn
of claws and teeth

the wind plays a cat
unravelling skeins of snow
as I walk along
–
the wee hours-
between my legs
a sleeping cat

a grin escapes me-
one unseen piece of salmon
stuck to my cats nose
–
in the shadows-
my petite
stalker