Cat on a Pumphouse Roof

by

Sheila Maurer

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There's a little gray cat on our pumphouse roof
at our lake down close to the water
and it like the fabulous cat that it is
takes its life from the movement of water

Sculpted from wood by a beaver one night
felling poplar trees into the water
'twas a beaver gnawed stump 'til cut off and set up
on the pumphouse down by the water

On warm summer days when rippling waves
arise from cool breezes on water
cat rigidly poised stalks invisible prey
no movement at all but the tip of a tail
twitching in time with the water

When thunderous waves on dark stormy days
rush in from the lake with loud booming
that's when the cat on the pumphouse roof
gets busy with personal grooming
Invisible tongue washing invisible paws
shoulder and back muscles swaying
it rides out the storm in the glory of wind
having its way with the water

On still winter night cold moon shining bright
and ice has imprisoned the water
there's a small frozen cat on our pumphouse roof
awaiting release by the water.

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