Melt Into A Stare Poem by Doris Cornago

Your coldness appalls me!
Trying to follow your example
Went to obedience school
Grew a tail, taught myself
Never to bark because useless
sound sorely displeases you
Difficult because I am a cat
In your presence I run short
for words that can catch
your imagination because
Every word is rated 1 to 5
Dismissed oft with four words
Boring give me another...


So, what is this then?
A modern Arabian Nights?
And you a Maharajah
who can't be spoken to?
Well, this morning, this
obedient pet escaped and
got into the lion's den
Went straight to your room
Past guards just thinking
of placid sleeping form
Fearful you have a curse
so severe, it will kill me
just to catch a glimpse
of you in a room so bare...


You are just there, not sleeping
Just sitting quietly in a corner
We stare at each other for
first time, without a word
Your eyes glinting blackly
Your mouth agape in a soft 'Oh'
Should have taken a spear with me
and slay you as you slept but no-
Changed all that didn't you?
You smashed stone into a stream
Made me flow, taught me to dream
Voice which used in anger to scream
Now says in low tone, let me stay...


What is it you want, you ask
You are a runt, a hopeless cad
Forgot clear terms of our accord?
Did you not say if things be better
we can be together talking
enjoying what is best in life
A game, some drinks to share
A talk with a few closer to you
A pat on Poochie, view your room
Five minutes of uninhibited talk
Touch on iPad, better your nose
May I have that, a touch of you?


What is the ocean if it cannot
fix a silly stream who ventured
dangerously, uncomfortably lost
Braved the raging ocean's waves
Whipped away my sails, soaked me
And made waste of my provisions
now cast about in freezing cold water
A broom with which to clean your room
made for the ceiling to scare spider
A window cleaner so light can come in
A wet rag to remove the stench
because you let the pet have her way
Are you the man in my waking dream?


Caught with empty hands, am aghast
What do I have to show for purpose?
Not even a slip of paper that says
let this woman in for she comes
on my dire need and authorization
Being here as I am, you need to know
there is nothing else but this moment
What is it you want, you softly repeat
Your eyes pure energy bore into mine
You are slim, and quite crystalline
Your hair leaps, recedes at temples
like some holy man or a wizened monk
All my angry words melt into a stare...