"Felis" — A poem
by Julianne Day Ignacio
Some nights I dream
I am a cat
Lithe and limber
Soft and sinewy
Arching her back
Extending her legs
Purring coy
Sly and subtle
Paws padding
Pushing aside
Piles of papers
Swaying her tail
Sashaying
Forward
Closer
Before deciding to
Nudge her nose
Your fingertips
Taste the sweet
Salt on your skin
Debating
Whether it’s worth the trouble to
Climb up on the couch
Stretch and shimmy
Sprawl out and
Linger
Warm and welcoming
Curving
Angles curling
Unfurling
Luxuriating
Across your lap