The Cream-Colored Cat

A new piece with not much explanation. The photo is of my cat Buu (who lives with my parents). She's not the cat in question.

The Cream-Colored Cat

The cream-colored cat resides with me

Like the asterisk at the end of the sentence that defines me

Appearing from the shadowed corner of an empty room

Staring at me with lily eyes

I ask her the questions I’m too scared to ask myself

When will my soul return?

Will I sleep tonight with this hole in my chest?

She abides my derangement

Silently nagging me with her piceous cry

Telling me I am weak

Worthy of nothing more than the subtle mockery

Only she can convey

She ties the cord around my neck while I sleep

So that the screams from my nightmares don’t disturb

Her midnight prowls

And if, when I awake, I’m still alone

I know I’ll see her there

Defying my existence

—Adrienne McKay 2010