Manet the Cat

Her kitten quivers in my arms. His blue
Leash circles my hard hand so he won’t run –
But he sits on my arm, calm as a son
Reading his favorite book. While it is true
I cannot know all that this kitten means
To her who let me hold him, even she
Appreciates all of the history
Of feelings that holding this kitten gleans
From me as I sit, stroke his soft, black fur,
Rub ears and chin? Then, on a joking whim
I say she cannot have him back because,
“I love him,” which gets a reply from her,
“You do not know him, so you can’t love him.”
True and untrue. Love goes by other laws.