Anxiety makes her shy away from even the gentlest of hands
But she desperately tries to escape her confinement
Chirping her strange version of a meow, she advances then retreats
“Don’t touch me, but I’m lonely,” she seems to say
Exasperating cat! What am I to do with you?
Fat wobbles from side to side as she dodges me
Giving in, at last, she lopes back into the cage
Hatred and fear shine in the eyes visible through the metal grate
I’m suddenly overwhelmed with sympathy
Just last week, I thought she’d join our family
Kicking through the bushes, I found her
Leaves and webs peppered her dark fur
Mud coated her little, white paws
No blood drew the eye to cuts or scrapes
Other than her skittishness, she seemed perfectly normal
Perhaps that’ll go away in time, I thought as I ushered her through the door
Quality food and pampering can fix any animal
Remember when I said ‘last week?’
She is this way still, maybe more so
Treating her kindly or with frustration changes nothing
Unfortunately, I’m nearing my wits end with this cat
Venting about it to my husband doesn’t help
“We should just turn her in to the animal shelter,” he said
“X-rays and medical treatment is what she really needs.”
“You’re probably right,” I murmur, glancing at the cat
Zestfulness or the lack of aren’t the best reasons to get rid of an animal
And yet, how can I love something that doesn’t exactly want to be loved?
Because someone who fights love is someone who needs it the most, I realize
Come what may, I will love this cat
Dedication might just be what changes her in the end.
Fan of the Fiction 