White Carnations in a Cobalt Blue Pitcher

For G.M.

Oh, what lovely flowers you brought  to

comfort my sorrow

Delighted, I cut off their ends and arrange them

In a blue pitcher

The next morning I find three scattered on the table

I pluck them up and rearrange them

into the pitcher again

Then chide my cats to be more polite

Morning two: Again several more flowers are strewn about the pitcher, dehydrating in the air

I put them back, wondering which of my two cats the culprit is

When I arrive in the afternoon, I notice flowers strewn about again

One cat, Oliver, was inadvertently locked in the small bathroom

As I free him I note his innocence

I now know who to indict!

Morning Three: Blue pitcher on its side,

Water soaked magazines and papers

in close proximity (the carnations may have been sassy)

apparently it was them or him

(Winston), and he prevailed

As I leave this morning, the flowers in

the blue pitcher are set safely in the sink

There will be no more cat vs. carnation skirmishes

This cleaner has surrendered-has decided not press charges

Nor mete out punishment!

P.S. That grey cat can thank his

cute furry little ass.

raintreepoet, reporting cat tales.