A poem by Kellyanne Fitzgerald
in which my cat considers taking a step that is too far for her
she makes this jump daily
but still approaches it slow,
the gravity of a trapeze artist
crossing a bridge of wire.
yellow eyes focus,
quiver of whiskers
black velvet limbs
tense into angles
she puts out a paw
slips
pulls it back.
looks forward again.
leans farther out
tail curling up for balance
i hold my breath
she coils, nose twitching
makes the jump
lands soft and slow
and sidles over to me,
unaware that she has done
anything remarkable.
she nuzzles my hand for scratches.
i try to think of a better metaphor for prayer.
Kellyanne Fitzgerald is a writer and artist based in Madison, Wisconsin. In her free time she enjoys language learning, fiber arts, and folk art illustration.