Hawk on the fence, intent
looking away; cat on cold stone
watching. A small cat, no bigger
than a rabbit, but perhaps more
than a mouthful with tooth
and claw. Serene, she can see
that for all its size, sleekness, sharp
beak and scream, itβs clearly
merely a bird.
Hmmm. Cats don’t lack in confidence, do they? I’ve seen a hawk eat a squirrel (took it one hour, sitting on my picnic table) and since that – I keep an eye out. Love this poem. Sums up the situation perfectly and succinctly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s it exactly, perfect feline poise. Don’t worry, just watch the birds. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s interesting about how the cat “sizes up” the hawk. i also thought the spare details of the fence and the cold stone were perfect. and then the use of alliteration and assonance in the final sentence was effective. well-crafted!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much! It’s so rewarding, on the writing end, when sounds and sense fall together. π
LikeLike
A cat with attitude. I love how you describe the scene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Janice.
LikeLike
You have the cat psyched perfectly. They maybe don’t think much, but it’s just enough, the essentials.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe a lesson for the overthinking human, like myself. π
LikeLike
We could usually take lessons from animals.
LikeLike
Love the sound of ‘cat on cold stone’. Just do. Also, your descriptions are very precise and brutal. Lays everything bare before the kill. π
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah, maybe I was feeling a little brutal. Stark, at least, as someone else said. I’m glad I changed my original “cobbles” to “stone.” π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely wonderful write!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Tension? What tension… everyone just minding their own dangerous (dangerous??) business. You can feel the tightly coiled indifference. I love this poem.
Jennifer this brought me back to May 2010 when I started my blog. I was writing short stories in 30 minutes. To get writing again. My first one… a cat and a raven. That seems like a long time ago. Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Blogging since 2010! That’s awesome.
Thanks so much for your comment…”tightly coiled indifference”… β€
Hope you are having a great weekend, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can imagine this scene so well. But of course, I also overthink, so now I’m worried about both hawk and cat. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
THEY ARE BOTH OKAY!! lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
π
LikeLike
And this one made me smile.
I’ve been thinking about hawks lately. Maybe another for draw-a-bird day.
They are a contradiction I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, yes. Did you read the book, H is for Hawk?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Definitely on my mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person