Closing Doors

 

Today the wind blew the door open.

I ran to close and lock it,

thinking of my indoor cat.

I had been listening to music

on my laptop, and I tore out the plug

of the headphones when I got up—

I forgot I was attached.

 

The door is tricky.

You have to push and pull

until the lock will finally turn.

 

My cat wouldn’t go outside.

She’s content in the house.

She might stick her head

out curiously into the cold,

but she will draw it back in.

 

A cat hit by a car,

attacked by animals,

lost and starving

is the saddest image.

 

Sometimes someone leaves a door open

without thinking, or a guest without knowing.

I am afraid my cat will get out.

I am always running to close the door.