Christmas East

Something skitters across the room
– cats not far behind
another bird has been plundered from the garland
that winds its way up the stairs
why are these cats so sure
that the season’s decorations are strictly for their
amusement?
we have given up believing they will ever stay
out of the tree
perhaps our penance for their indoor life
or is it just some lataent primal cat instinct that surfaces
when we bring the Christmas tree home?
no matter
we will guy-wire the tree to the walls once more and
adjust the ornaments in such a way that none
inadvertently beckons to their fancy
finally,
we’ll stand across the room and snap a mental picture.
from this point on, our tree becomes
a sometime garden of feline delights.
Merry Christmas, cats!

And Merry Christmas to all of you and yours!