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Lap cats (after Samuel Palmer and Shoreham)

On our donut island

We sit toe to toe dipping In the cobbled shallows

Knees pulled up to pyramid pleats And lap to lap like cats

We purr together.

My mother and I

So close to the island edge it can’t be true. She is close like ivy.

Her friends are there One mirror-breath apart On the other bank

Squint light and silver shadows break

So close she can reach a flecked hand across And their smiles swept back

Lap at our feet like cats.

On our flowered green spot Busy, Jolly, Silly and us The three cats

Trace the water’s edge To lap with us

And paddle this tiny inland sea With wet socks

And her friends.


November 3, 2015