If I Were a Cat

I'd lie on my mother's breast

nurse for a while

then sleep the sleep of the well-fed

I'd dream

of chasing daisies in the field

Waking, I'd stretch long and deep

open my mouth so wide

butterflies would rush in

If I were a cat

I'd make playthings of small creatures

bat them about

pretend to free them

then reach out, grab them by the tail

and eat them

If I were a cat I'd taunt the dog

pretend to fall out the window

then pull back at the last possible moment

laughing at his stupid expression

If I were a cat

I'd find a partner and have dozens of babies

Each perfect, just like me