By the tree
Lights shining bright
Cat on my lap
Good book in my hand
Hot cup of tea at the ready
Healthy happy kids asleep in their beds
An honest days work ahead.
The cat purrs and blinks slowly
Soft fur smiles my fingers
Suddenly the hunter’s heart awakens
The drawstring on my hoody the assassin’s goal.
A vicious slash
My hand too slow becomes collateral damage
My thumb bleeds
The attack ends
Satisfied with the carnage, my cat gives love bumps
Repositions on my lap and begins to purr again.
Despite the blood and violence
Regardless of my throbbing pollex
Reverie returns
I’m happy. I’m content.
And thankful that my cat is not a tiger.
