Feral

For Tiffany Williams

I used to think of myself
as a feral cat
homeless and untethered

a bit stinky at that
but my claws were intact
I used to be proud of the fact
as a feral cat
the stranger malingerer
on an empty planet
littered with themes that
annoyed me no end
made my hackles rise
made my tail turn to brush
what was the problem
what was the rush
to slink under darkness
before everyone’s light
this was my world
this was my fight
an alley, a doorway,
an opened window
I had no ties
who knew
who knew
I am still wandering
the streets of my moment
is this the mouse death
my emotional torment
I used to think of myself
as a feral cat
homeless and untethered

a bit stinky at that
and I raise the red flag now
in a warm, well stocked kitchen
I still have my claws
and nothing has changed
I still have my claws
time to dig in