It's Already Too Late

It’s already too late!! I’m stuck in this unwholesome relationship! You’re rotten and give me grief! You’re a nasty, relentless pain in the neck! What am I supposed to do? Should I just ignore you? Should I stop feeding you? 

Call me an enabler. I didn’t start this relationship; my husband did!!! You are  always lashing out, aggressive attacks! Cause bloody wounds. Rip my clothing! What can I do now? It’s already too late. You’ve’s taken over; You’re in charge!

I'm stuck with this handsome, proud, nasty tabby cat. Every morning and at dinner time, he appears at my glass front door demanding food. He’s too small to ring the doorbell, but his presence is enough of an announcement  and a clear message, Hey lady, take notice. I’m here. FEED ME!!”  He doesn’t want nurturing, warmth, closeness or affection. Who knows? Maybe, he just doesn’t know how to show it. Try getting near him, and beware!  

He appeared in my backyard one fine spring day, a fully formed adult cat. He looked healthy and his white bib and white ankles were snowy white, well groomed. Where did he come from? Did someone else feed this outdoor cat?  Did he ever belong to someone? Where does he go when it rains, when it snows, when it is freezing cold?  He has a clipped ear. My neighbor who feeds two black and white gentle cats, said that the clipped ear means he was spayed. Who cared enough to have done that and how did anyone ever get near this rascal? 

It’s already too late to stop those morning and dinner servings.It’s already too late to say, “Enough’s enough!! You are not nice; you are not friendly; in fact you are a nasty handsome tabby!!! " To tell the truth, as a Jewish mother, I would be wrought with major guilt if I said, “NO MORE !! You scare me when I put out the paper plate with your cat food.” I’m stuck in this unwholesome relationship that gives me no pleasure, only pain. This cat never took Psych 101, but he knows he’s cute enough to convince me to comply with his twice daily request, “ Hey lady, you’re stuck with me. That’s the truth. Like it or not. It’s already too late.”

So, to assuage my pain, I wrote a poem: FRIEND OR FOE                                                   

Open the front door.

He’s watching and waiting.

He’s staring

His thought balloon is telling me,

Hey! Feed me!

You can’t touch me.

I don’t trust you.

But, I trust you will fill 

My white paper plate.

I’m the mischievous meower.

I’m the alpha.

I got rid of all my competition,

The two others know they should stay away.

I’m the triumphant tabby 

I’m your not so friendly feral feline.

Hey! Feed me!

Ethyl Haber