National Poetry Month Challenge - Day 13

Today's prompt was to write an animal poem.  I'm giving a poetry reading today, so my time is limited.  Here's what came through for me, when I let the animal totem of the cat speak.

(photo from the National Geographic story, "The Search for Cleopatra")

Cleopatra’s Cat

Cleopatra’s cat feels guilty.

He could have loved more,

given more,

scratched at the door more –

sounding the alarm to intruders.

In the end

no sleek, feline skills

would have been enough.

Her escape was a final one.

All black lines

and silent stealth,

Cleopatra’s loyal pet

stayed close,

as poison touched

ruby lips.

He glided next to her,

soundlessly,

holding vigil,

when porcelain skin grew cold.

Cristina M. R. Norcross

Copyright 2014