We’re learning to live together
You, my new pet, and me.
Learning what we like to do
And each others’ personalities
You like to be up at unseen hours of the morning
But I make you go back to sleep
When morning comes, you do nothing but play
With everything you see
Your favorite is to pounce and run
The wand toy is hours of fun
But dare I put it away
You complain the rest of the day
When I’ve work to be done
You entertain yourself
As the drop cloth becomes your fortress
You dive in. You dive at. You throw it this way and that
Then when I walk by, its my ankles you bat
You like to find trouble
with the power cords and the TV
But when I snap my fingers
You’ve learned to cease
When I leave the room
You run after me
You have to see where every door leads
I swear the dishwater isn’t that interesting
You have all your claws
I know you’re not mean
Even with the accidental scratch
Or twenty
When we play with hands
Your claws are put away
You only get me
When you miss the toy I dragged away
When you’re all worn out
You pass out on the couch
And let me rub your toe beans
You have a favorite spot
But it’s also mine too
So we fight over who gets it
And it’s usually you
When nighttime comes
We’ve figured out a routine
You settle down at the desk
Then lights out, you pounce at me
I jump and you jump
Then you settle at my knees
Until morning comes
It’s soft purrs and sweet dreams.
nikki diekemper 