2005\early

We awake early allowing me
to meditate at dawn, windows open
so I can hear the birds.
Grebes on the lake,
crows in the neighbor’s yard.
The cat pushes the door open,
leaving it ajar.
I want to train him to close it,
but what are my odds?
He has an extra claw
and can sometimes turn knobs.
I am repeatedly startled by his entries.
One night I called the cops when I was alone
and he pushed against the living room door.
I pushed back, my heart racing,
not knowing what else to do.
Later I felt foolish, of course,
as two men searched the perimeter
of the house,
before we realized it was the cat.
I’m old enough now for such mistakes
to be tolerated.
It’s one of the few advantages of age.

3/12/05