study: a cat in white and tan

I have this friend, Elena, who photographs beautifully, and there was this one photo of her that kept tapping me on the shoulder, saying "Write a poem about it". So I asked her permission (vampire's etiquette) and even requested permission to use the photo here. She kindly assented.

study: a cat in white and tan

moving life. like life. white and tan and skin and thin
and things that ring and sing and sting
when stared at too long, like a sunset in white.
taut muscles, sleek form far from the norm,
the lukewarm norm that bores us to tears,
there is something elegant in your stance.
a grace in an awkward moment where I would
fall over, crouching like some metaphoric cat
looking the other way to say "Don't look at me"
just before she pounces.
we look, but are still taken, unawares.

William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.