Indoor Cat

Photo by Author

Indoor Cat



I am the old queen of the sill,
black fur warmed into bronze by a patient sun 
that never asks permission.

Below me, the world rehearses its urgency.
I watch it through glass that forgives nothing and distorts everything.

Let them chase what cannot be held.
Let them mistake motion for meaning, noise for power.

I blink slowly at their graceless fumblings.
None of it smells like truth.

Let me stay here.
Let me choose the exact angle of stillness.
Let me decide what enters my bones: warmth, light, silence.

I do not control the wind, only how I face it.
I do not command the day, only how I receive it.

My philosophy is simple.
Let them.
Let me.

-----

This poetic prompt from those over at DVerse Poets Pub let me write a poem about my cat, Stormy.

©2026 Christopher Reilley 
 

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

Comments

  1. Oh the wisdom of cats and the foolishness of humans....
    I loved every line. A great perch and perspective from the cat's eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. As a cat lover, your poem appeals to me, Chris. I especially love the way you describe the cat as ‘the old queen of the sill’ with ‘black fur warmed into bronze by a patient sun’, and the simple philosophy.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your cat is very wise! "None of it smells like truth." "I do not control the wind, only how I face it. I do not command the day, only how I receive it." Wonderful truths in this poem.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is exactly how I imagome a cat would speak

    ReplyDelete
  5. Every line perfectly composed. Just what I think an older indoor cat would say. (My cats are still like little boys.)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Excellent write Chris 👏 Cats are generally a good representation of the stoic philosophy.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts