Cats

She is an acrobat, a window dancer, a trapeze artist, a ballerina.
When I come in and it is dark she knows I can't see her so she mewls quietly, patiently, unfailingly polite.
Last nite I dreamed
She was flown to New Orleans
To teach table manners.
and while she was there
she was brought out to declare
that the perfect shade of brown
were her paws and silken ears
the crystal blue of her eyes were the coolest of hues
for mandarin dresses and envelope purses and high-heeled shoes
While bulbs were flashing from her photograph being taken
I was suddenly awakened by my cat
she looked at me as though she knew
my aristocrat in my house is my cat
and she is keeping secrets from me and you!