You want to play,

black kitten,

in the shadows

of the curb,

turn somersaults,

arch your back,

the tricks that

aren’t tricks

to a kitten?–

you recognized my mood…

no, I have friends

but tonight I feel

unfriended–

your silence

made me forget the song

in my mind, no,

I was singing aloud–

you run before my feet–

I resume the song

and see you’re set

on following me,

you’re so wild,

whether stray or owned

I won’t get close

or touch you,

I can’t see tags–

let us be two

itinerant dancers–

in solitude

on Friday night–

who like only

music and dance.

                                      ~ David Francis

                                    New York, USA