I spy the neighbor’s cat under my car,
as I’m about to fire it up and go to the grocery store.

I feel honored the cat has chosen to grace the underbelly of my car with her noble, feline presence.

I met this cat months ago when I was talking to the neighbor who is the cat’s pet; the orange and white feline wonder purred and endearingly rubbed her soft, furry body against my leg.

I felt grateful that she accepted me like that,
as if welcoming me into a human cat kinship with her.

I hate that I have to start my car and scare her away.
It seems almost sacrilegious to me, like trashing a holy relic.

But, alas, I have to get some sustenance from the grocery store,
perhaps I’ll make amends with the cat another day.

Bob Boyd