Tabby’s and/or My Delight (contest Righteousness – Paul09sm)

“What is it that you want from me?”
I ask my cat’s swift retreating back
of silken grey and healthy sheen.

To follow her, this routine tactic,
though her already I did feed.

Yet, meows sweet I did heed
with shuffle slow of house-shoed feet.

Suddenly she stopped in her tracks,
to thus there stay… Sat down on her hunches
in our hallway

as I watched

and my head I scratched.

For what did she want and why did I care?
She looked as though a plan she hatched.

Her litter box was already cleaned;
so, of its proper usage
did not of her character

callously demean.

Water clear. Her bed comfortable,
mostly pristine.

What else did she require
as down I leaned to smooth her fur?

She purred in contentment. At me blinked
and stared. And then in her presence
I did take delight… Of this we shared.

Was this now her singular desire
as satisfied I felt in her response?

To be loved; stroked?
Not hated or provoked?
Her wishes denounced…

Is this of what she did aspire?

To have necessities, yes, in fact needed.
But also to be thought about and fairly treated?

Though discipline, at times, to her was rendered
after stubbornly hopping upon surfaces off limits…

I her did hinder… Not happy
if she retaliated with even an attempt at fight.
A simple swipe.

For the purpose of sanitation these demands were made;
and also for my company fearful of animals
I required

that they not to be
frightfully greeted.

Are these considered ‘righteous’ acts? Or does anything really go
in reality today without ‘ accurate knowledge’?}… Fiction not fact spread as ‘truth’ to be accepted without question… No laws or principles or morality further to be taught?… Speech harsh; without tact…

For who should say who should ‘follow’ or who should ‘lead’ us?
Why is ‘compromise’ despised; hard to swallow?
Is this lack of compassion, empathy, community
why our world wails and wallows?

Exists no longer the concept ‘stray’ from a tried, tested, proven way?

My cat got up and walked away.

I returned to the kitchen to wash my hands
and preparation make for my family’s breakfast
while all-the-while I meditated and prayed

as news media to me relayed black events
of violence worldwide

hindering children from obligatory and innocent play
as they even become casualties

as bullets are sprayed

for justice to be enacted by officials
at the end-of-the-day?

My tabby returns to my vision, sight
and begins to stretch with all her might
and preen her body in leisure form…

While I am still at dawn in robe adorned…

Neither she or I this day forlorn
unless she attacks my sofa… for I despise
furniture tattered and worn

because of negligence or spite…

Is this not why scratch pads and standards
are created/born?

Write a poem for contest Righteousness – Paul09sm
Either in your own or a friend or family members voice. What is an example a thought or experience of righteousness? Maybe write from a perspective you disagree with. Or even from a perspective u have mixed feeling about and enter some diversity. No conclusion is allowed. Should be thought provoking. Any topic is allowed other than starfish. © 10 minutes ago, Lucretia McCloud    teen • society • sad • hope • love • family