Books & Cats ~ arlene s bice
Violet & Daisy of the Magical Bookshop
in Cascade Springs, New York
have their tuxedo cat, Emerson
Darla of the Black Cat Bookshop
in Brooklyn, New York
has her pure black Hamlet
Charlie Harris good-natured librarian
in Athena, Missisippi
has his rescued Maine Coon cat
Minnie Hamilton of the Bookmobile
cruises in Chilson, Michigan
with her rescue cat Eddie
even literary agent Jane Stuart
in the New York publishing world
has her tortoiseshell cat Winky
By the Book @ U & I Gift Shop
in Bordentown, New Jersey
lived Jane & Lizzie Bennet
charming namesake sisters of
Pride & Prejudice fame
Jane, a black & white Manx
with no tail & high haunches
also called a Lady because
she was, tho adventurous
a huntress, clever, smart
v-e-r-y smart
younger sister Lizzie, tiny calico
walked delicately like a ballerina
purred as the perfect feminine feline
born with a two inch tail, kinked
opted who she cozied up to
both rescued cats of feral mom & dad
loved being in the display window of books
delighted the early morning walkers
basking in the cooing and ah-h-h ing
never disturbed or knocked over a book
loved to lay on the newspaper i was reading
curled up in front of the faux fireplace in
the reading area of the bookshop
amazed at the Christmas decorations
throughout, never broke an ornament
careful, appreciative, loving, content
sad to leave it all behind, yet looking
forward to a new adventure in
Macon, North Carolina, happy to be
where i was, big windows to watch
the deer, rabbits, fox, turkeys
still surrounded by books & art
filling the walls, a real fireplace
to curl up in front of, house
spirits to play with, a new life to live
more than pets, we talked together
i read to them, they purred in answers
we ate together, slept in the same big bed
even saw spirits moving through our home.
