Ode to Leo
by Elizabeth Woods

Noble cat,
mightily fat,
sits on his mat
waiting for food.
He glares at you,
reminding you,
to feed him.

It is dark, past five o'clock.
Where is my food?

Teenage girl doesn't hear.
She's watching TV.
"What's with you, Leo?
Do you want to sit
with me?"

It is dark, past five o'clock.
Where is my food?

Frantic cat,
anxious cat,
paces his mat, aching for food.
He glares at you,
cursing you,
"Feed me!"

And Mom arrives home.
Savior. Succor. Servant.
"Did you feed the cat?"

"The cat!
That's what he wants!"

Relieved cat,
contented cat,
walks to his bowl.
He has food.
Despite teenage ignorance
and refusal to hear his language,
he is fed!