Iridescent spur’s,
soft purr’s in the moonlight
bathe in dust
and tall grass
Eyes like saucers
yolk and sharp
Summer dusk,
we lay lazy,
I watch your paws
pressed into the soft dirt,
you sweep your tail
One of a dozen,
I picked you or
did you pick me?
Small, all bones,
teeth and fur,
baby face
a perfect mess
We made our little home
together in a one room flat
it was a tomb before you came
Then came your sister
runt of the litter
badly behaved
Precious two,
I owe you.
Written by. Ruth Niemiec
Painting by. Childe Hassam (After Breakfast, 1890)
Ruth (she/her) is a writer of non-fiction, fiction and poetry in English and Polish. She received her BA with a major in Professional Writing from Victoria University. Her latest work has recently appeared in Dumbo Feather (aus), Mamamia (aus), ABC Everyday (aus) Neon Literary Magazine (uk), Coffee People (us), Parliament (us) and Rhodora (in). Ruth also reads creative non-fiction for literary publications; Catatonic Daughters and Kitchen Table Quarterly. She doesn't wish to own a Tesla and has two cats and has managed to keep a veggie patch alive for the first time this year.