The Empty Box Theory

Stock Image

The Empty Box Theory

The kittens are gone, 

and my humans 

have mistaken a quieter house 

for solitude.

I have watched them 

rediscover each other 

with the astonishment of creatures 

who have spent twenty years 

looking everywhere for reading glasses, 

only to discover them 

in the fur on their heads.

There is something 

about humans gone silver 

discovering they still have appetites. 

They spend decades

believing desire is a young animal, 

then wake one morning 

to find the old beast 

sitting patiently 

at the foot of the bed.

Age does not kill hunger. 

It simply removes the need 

to pretend 

hunger is embarrassing.

My humans now look at each other differently. 

Less like roommates. More like accomplices.

I approve of this.

After all, 

life is short,

the human kits have moved out, 

eventually everyone gets cold.

Personally, 

I intend to spend my remaining years 

pursuing the three great pleasures: 

eating, sleeping, 

and preventing anyone else 

from having privacy.

Unlike my humans, 

I have no need 

to rediscover my appetite.

I never lost it.

-----

©2026 Christopher Reilley I would love to know what you thought about this piece. Please consider leaving a comment.