The woman sits in the warm room, with a shawl
on her lap. She dozes a little, from reading
her magazine. The cat walks to her and pulls
at the cloth covering her legs. He’s shedding
again, so she bends forward and takes the hair
off, scratches his head, and leans back again.
She picks up the china cup and holds it near
her stomach, but away from the magazine. When
she’s taken a sip, she returns it to its place.
The cat jumps carefully to her lap and curls
there, waiting to be rubbed. He turns his face
to her belly and, rubbing there himself, purrs.
She draws the magazine across the cat’s belly.
The cat pushes his nose hard into her shirt.
David Milley
