Alley Cat

You, the cat in the alley I passed by, Who thinks of pride? Who wonders why? What reason leaves the trees that you aren’t caught in? Beer broken bottle wet on the sidewalk. Does it mean anything to you? Do you know how wrong you are? How can you know you’re stuck in what you see? You, the cat in the alley collapse (shadow flicker in the corner of my eye) into cardboard. My shadow stepped on you. I meant no harm. Do you believe me?

September 1971