Two Felines

A poem

Photo of Sundae by author

One is the queen.
She spends most of the day
up on her throne,
sometimes swatting her underling
if she dares usurp her throne.

Swatches of orange and black
scatter over her long, snowy fur,
which ends up all over the house.

Her snout is half heart,
half Chaplin.

She’s temperamental,
swatting too at humans
who pet her tummy.

The underling accepts her fate,
shyly hiding in cubbyholes
here and there.
At times it seems she’s disappeared
into thin air.

She is no scrawny underling:
Her dark tabby fur is shaggier,
thicker than “sister’s,”
her paws heavier.

Despite her imposing physique,
she’s gentle.
Only she will creep onto my lap
and insist on caresses.

Calico and tabby,
each unique.