Friday, February 19, 2021

The Domestication of Cats

Cats domesticated themselves--how
could it have been otherwise?--ten
thousand years ago. Farming brought

grain, which brought rodents, which
enticed cats out of the forest. Impeccable
feline logic connected such exquisite

dining with the large lumbering 
two-legged beasts who made such noise,
lived in crowds but were lonely,

and couldn't resist two moon-eyes
glowing at them. That cold stare
above a permanent frown and below

radar ears, the subterranean surf
of purring, day-long languor, 
explosive honed rage: all of it

belongs to a calculation that padded
out of timber and brush, sniffed, leered,
hired us, and moved in. 


hans ostrom 2021

No comments: