my belly is
sticking out
the cat is kneading
my stomach
again
i've done it right
there is always
a cat
ready for pets
i am never alone
really
the claws leave
behind tiny
scratches
but there's no
pain
i ruffle her ears
and she mews at me
her purple collar
is worn
scratched at
ragged
like a favorite
trashy t-shirt
her dark green eyes
consider me
and she lays
down
i stare at
the gray sky
there are no clouds
it's all smoke
from the california
wild fires
as it chases
people out of homes
it makes our sunsets
beautiful
i wonder
whether Evie can
smell the smoke
too