Pale blue and gold, the sky
above the black cat, red collared and belled
perched on the pergolla
like a flightless bird.

Of course, birds don't come into the garden
when the cat
perches on the pergolla
above the woody grape vine,
yellow leaves transparent against the sky.

I tried to say so yesterday,
to the cat,
but it just purred
and there it is again
perched on the pergolla

watching the sky from the air
like a bird box with bells on.
 

4/12/01