Independence

I should have
been named Independence
because that’s how I live my life.
No human ever orders me around.
I’ll sneak away
spend the day in hiding
who cares if they’re looking for me.
Perhaps there’s a time I might decide
to give my human a treat.
I’ll jump on her lap
let her stroke and pet
turn on my purring machine.
I truly delight
to rub my nice human
and circle her legs with great joy.
To those in the know
I look independent
but there’s really a softy inside.

Original Poetry & Art by Patricia Walter 1998©