Lines and Spaces

i.
Your message reminded me
of the importance of space
in obtaining the nearness of cats.
My sister used to say
"Whatever you do don't chase them
or snatch them up from behind,
for cats are spiritual and you
are a ten year old glob of flesh
made fleshier with french fries
and Coke and pictures of girls.
As cats go, You are the devil.
That is why they hiss at you
and arch their backs and mark
on your PE clothes piled in the corner."

Let them come to you.
Pretend you are not even there.
Make yourself invisible
So that they feel the vibration
of inanimate desire without need,
but continue to read your book
or talk to friends and tell friends
they must ignore the cat
to get the cat's nearness.

ii

I want to feel your hand
pressed softly to my face.
I want you to lean against me
with the habitual insouciance
of sinking into your favourite chair.
You don't need to prove your claws;
I see the shreds and loops on carpet
and couches. My soul is your mat.
I am not the leader in this game;
I can't order you, or keep you
vibrating happily in my direction.
It is up to you when to circle, leap,
when to stay. I cannot even say
Come here, for I need this nearness,
this light warmth poured like spirit
upon stolid flesh. Your certainty
is bewildering, the rules are written down
and the spaces between
are the spaces I can't bridge
with urgency, gestures, or temptation.