Finding the Cat in a Spring Field at Midnight By Pattiann Rogers

Photos by Worriedman and Barncat

It takes a peculiar vision to be able to detect
Precisely where

The field grasses brushed by blowing
Stars and the odor of spring

In the breath of sweet clover buds
And the star-mingled calls of the toads

In the threading grasses and the paws
Of the clover brushing through the field

Of stars and the star-shaped crickets
In the ears of the sweet grasses

And the tail of the night flicking
Through the calls of the night and the spring

Stars slinking past the eyes of midnight
And the hour of the field mouse passing

Through the claws of the stars and the brushing
Haunches of the weeds and starry grasses

Threading through the eyes of the mouse

And the buds of the stars calling
With the sweet breath of the field

End
And the cat begins.