Apr
18

I’m not a Cat Person

What makes one
a cat person I wonder.
The felines or people,
who would know better?
How is she distinguished
one human from another?
No outward markers signify,
“Come hither feline
it’s fine
I’m a cat lover.”

In my case, I’m more inclined
to pause for a canine
though I’m just not
an animal person.

And it apparently
doesn’t work on the animals
to proclaim your position.
I tried stating aloud to one
“I don’t think cats are fun.”

The cat hunched her back
seeming to fit all her body
against one of my legs
as if she didn’t follow my message.

Then she purred her forgiveness
for my misstatement.
To her it was obvious,
I just didn’t yet know
the fullness of my own
cat connection.

Despite her seeming to know this
and the way I just don’t get it
I’ll trust my disposition and allergies
and continue to keep my distance.

© 2010 Shari Lynne Smothers

This poem is for the napowrimo prompt #18, meow! Visit the post to see the details of this prompt.

  • http://enerihot.wordpress.com irene

    Shari, a wonderful un-cat poem. I'm also not. But not aloof aloof but fascinated from a distance.

  • azhai

    Great piece, quietly passionate somehow~

  • honoredebalzac

    Oh Shari too bad! Animals are just delightful! Good poem though.
    Pamela

  • http://slstellingstories.com Shari Smothers

    Irene:

    Thanks for saying so. And you're exactly right. While I can't appreciate them close up–I'm a great fan from afar.

    Shari

  • http://slstellingstories.com Shari Smothers

    Thanks, Azha. I'm glad you like it.

    Shari

  • http://www.freckledwriter.blogspot.com Erin

    I was nodding my head all through this poem, because this is exactly how I feel!

    ~Erin (not a cat person either)

  • http://slstellingstories.com Shari Smothers

    Thanks, Pamela. It really is too bad. Animals are a delight to watch. But, my allergies are insistent.

    Shari

  • http://slstellingstories.com Shari Smothers

    Hi Erin:

    Thanks for visiting and sharing your response. I hope I didn't stir up too many congested memories–I had a few flashbacks as I worked on this poem.

    Shari

  • http://cosmicmermaid.wordpress.com/ cosmicmermaid

    I really dug this, and I love the tone. As a cat person, I think you really captured the spirit of cats spot on. You've definitely raised a good question with your first lines, btw – I've never wondered what makes a person a cat person! Hmm.

  • http://www.dansbait.com Dan Rako

    Tough to argue with allergies! Nice work!

  • http://pamelavillars.wordpress.com/ Pamela Villars

    It took a lot of courage to post this. Cat courage. :-)

  • http://slstellingstories.com Shari Smothers

    I'm glad you liked it. I think mine is a question that an outsider, (non-cat person), would ask. You know, like when people who don't write poetry wonder how you do that. Anyway, thank you for visiting and sharing your response.

    Shari

  • http://slstellingstories.com Shari Smothers

    Hi Dan:

    I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for visiting and sharing your response.

    Shari

  • http://slstellingstories.com Shari Smothers

    You know, Pamela, I did start to feel brave about it, after reading so many poems from cat people. I think I really am outnumbered.

    Shari

  • http://pamelavillars.wordpress.com/ Pamela Villars

    It took a lot of courage to post this. Cat courage. :-)

  • http://slstellingstories.com Shari Smothers

    I'm glad you liked it. I think mine is a question that an outsider, (non-cat person), would ask. You know, like when people who don't write poetry wonder how you do that. Anyway, thank you for visiting and sharing your response.

    Shari

  • http://slstellingstories.com Shari Smothers

    Hi Dan:

    I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for visiting and sharing your response.

    Shari

  • http://slstellingstories.com Shari Smothers

    You know, Pamela, I did start to feel brave about it, after reading so many poems from cat people. I think I really am outnumbered.

    Shari

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