i’d lay with the cat if he’d have me
i’d curl up next to him in a ball
and tell him my shames and dismissals
i’d confess my sins
and lay out my exploits
like wet towels,
draped over chairs
i’d hope they’d dry
somewhat
it’s not like me to hear this voice
but it spears through me
mutters it’s graces and damnations
pulls for breaths of air
takes from where it can
i’d lay with the cat if he’d have me
but even he knows who i am

-Sheila Sea