ME, JULIAN OF NORWICH AND HER CAT
'Only the cat can come
and go at will
and the rats of
course. She never goes out,
part of her job. I on the other hand
have to wait until the
curtain opens,
until the queue works
its way to myself
and I can ask her
advice, her counsel,
about my
mother-in-law, a woman with tongue
so sharp and viperous,
even tame snakes
slither away to be out
of harm's reach.
How can my wife, so
docile, so loving
have been birthed from
the groins of this Grendel?'
Julian looks at me with
eyes of jade green.
I think they change
colour as needs present.
She just gazes, not a
word forthcoming.
'All at once I see my
wife's dear mother
bereft of her only
daughter, the light
of her life giving all
her precious love
to someone else,
someone other than her,
and that someone is
me. Oh Lardy-do.'
I thank Julian, doff
my soft cap to her.
She still has not
murmured a single word,
but I am at
peace. The cat sidles up
as I leave, follows me
to the side gate.
Near the latched door
huddle seven kittens,
look-a-likes of their
mother, all miaowing.
'Now one of these will
sweeten the old crone,
let the milk of human
kindness flow again.'
Away he walks with one
under each arm.
* Kaaren Whitney is a homoeopath, native of Connecticut, USA, transplanted to Suffolk via London and has lots of land under her care. Some of her poetry can be seen on www.poetryaloud.org.uk