On Cats - Edit 2

[rollingbrianjones]

I'm mad,
or at least I'm
headed that direction,
no longer at the helm of my
own thoughts. Not quite sure how you've managed it with such an irregular structure but this reads really well (for me). And despite the broken nature of how it's on the page, it really flows easily. Not sure if I am reading as intended but felt right! 
I naturally scanned it as: I'm mad, // or at least, I'm headed that direction. // No longer at the helm of my // own thoughts. The changes in punctuation are how it read to me. Not sure how it could be read so fluently and easily with the punctuation as you have it? Also, a better word than "own" before "thoughts"? Good opening.

Before,
lonliness was
as normal as blinking.
My everpresent companion.
Silent. Does one not feel even lonelier when they have an absent desired other? Or perhaps at point of writing the poet still has hope. Not a fan of "normal as blinking". Just think you can come up with something better. Does silent have to occupy the last line on its own? Especially describing something as prominent as loneliness. Maybe a juxtaposition or something, for effect, e.g. "Loud, silent." or "Silent, loud." Think you can do a bit more with this. 
I really like "My ever-present companion" forces the idea and presence of loneliness, in language echoing how you'd describe a loved one- good stuff. 

But now
I cannot seem 
to make coffee or walk
or waken without her coming
to mind; 
I find this the weakest stanza by far. The rhythm/ease of reading of the other stanzas isn't here, and with no punctuation it just read to me as a non-poetic sentence randomly broken up into 5 lines- without any engrossing language or insightful imagery which might have saved the sudden lack of rhythm. I'd keep the sentiment but change its implementation. At least punctuate to manipulate the reader's flow in some way.

smoothly
sliding her way
through my thoughts -- like a cat
between plants in a windowsill
garden. 
Love the image and how it ties in with the title, again I think you can poss manipulate the rhythm through punctuation. 
The way I want to read this is with some breaks, which would mirror the feeling of the poem. E.g:
smoothly

gliding, 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

So it turns out the poet has gotten the girl, right? Or is this suggestive? I'm confused by welcoming her but the metaphor saying you cannot pet the cat? If the poet has the girl I'm not sure why it ends on the negative notion, if the poet hasn't got the girl I'm thus confused by "I welcome her". Pls explain and I shall see if it becomes clear- but this was the only part I read and took as contradictory. Also definitely do something about the two "buts". I'd cut the one before "I know..." or use something like "yet". The repetition isn't great.

Enjoyed this, keep at it