little gray cat
comes, wraps her lithe
soft body around my back
arches her back, steps through
the arches of my legs
doesn’t mind I’m crying.
I pet her and she pushes against
me like crazy
starved for affection
people never knew she needed.
her purr is gone
she’s skittish of the world
startling at the truck rolling by
running away
stalking back
but feels safe with me
rolling over on her back
claws clinging to my jeans.
it’s okay, I tell her
I lost my purr too
I’m sure it will come back.
she bites me once
I jerk back hard, but
return my hand
I know what it’s like to not
want to be touched even as
you’re starving for it
finding it hard to believe
you’re safe
even when you are,
thumb soothing
the velvet fur
above her nose.
she settles down and licks herself
at my feet
and we sit and watch
the leaves curling bright
on the sidewalk together
the cat and me.
then, as I say I have to go
she jumps up on my lap
curls beneath my arm
a soft meow
as if to say
stay.
she sits and flicks her tail
white socks and a white tie
green eyes
watching me go.