On Cats - Edit 2

[mrweiner]

On Cats

I'm mad
or at least I'm
headed that direction
no longer at the helm of my
own thoughts.

Before
loneliness sat
beside me unquestioned.
My ever-present companion.
Now though

I smile
I feel new warmth
missing from my bed, its tenant
dreaming sweet nothings from afar
and still

slipping
so gracefully
through my thoughts -- like a cat
between plants in a windowsill
garden.

Bated
I welcome her
recalling what it's like
when you're used to petting a cat
but can't.

Edit 1:
I'm mad,
or at least I'm
headed that direction,
no longer at the helm of my
own thoughts.

Before,
lonliness was
as normal as blinking.
My everpresent companion.
Silent.

But now
I cannot seem 
to make coffee or walk
or waken without her coming
to mind;

smoothly
sliding her way
through my thoughts -- like a cat
between plants in a windowsill
garden.

Of course
I welcome her,
but I know what it's like
when you're used to petting a cat
but can't.

---

Original:

I'm mad,
or at least I'm
headed that direction,
no longer at the helm of my
own thoughts.

Before,
lonliness was
normal as morning dew.
My everpresent companion.
Silent.

But now
I cannot seem 
to make coffee or take
a walk without her joining from
afar;

smoothly
sliding her way
through my thoughts -- like a cat
between plants in a windowsill
garden.

Of course
I welcome her,
but I know what it's like
when you're used to petting a cat
but can't.