Judah with tiger stripes the color of a midday summer
thunderstorm. Sleeps soundly on
the over stuffed chair in the afternoon sun until I rustle the covers and slip
out of my bedded cocoon. Ears perk up and limbs stretch out as he slides down
onto the bare floor. Wanders coyly
to the curtains’ edge. Stares out the French doors at the birds and bugs
dancing with the garden flowers. I
return from the bathroom and slip back into bed. My head still throbs from the evening’s late night
enchantment.
Judah with a halo of tender sleepiness. Delights in the simplicity of the studio apartment, until there
is a stranger among us. Transforms in a moment. Growls at
the neighbor cat Homer, outside, who passes with disinterest on his way up the
stairs.
Judah with short attention span. Attacks at the white knit
mouse. Rolls to the side, hugging,
licking, batting, kicking. Chases the mouse across the wood floor. Runs laps around the rectangular room. Rug slides out from under him and
crashes into the front door with inertia.
Judah with never ending curiosity. Pants with excitement and
exhaustion from the wild rampage with his mouse. Lays drained and relaxed. Smiles with his eyes. Surrenders
to my affection and snuggles into my touch as I lay broken in my bed.
