the cat is trying to jump over
ledges to chase birds
as himself and the one who
is protecting himself with
guttural grunts and namely reminders
that are keeping him wild
in time and space of
edges of sidewalk, grass, & garden.
now tormented by watching
birds fly free
he is alone
creature
he will never know
the majesty of a
church steeple
or the feeling of launching body to wall
from tree
to air to black
wire with the freedom to
cling one’s feet to something
so unstable
yet still able to sing one’s song.
no, the cat only knows
the ground,
tilts his head
and doesn’t even realize,
that he’s even
chasing birds.
