Allergic To Cats Poem by Robin Bennett

Remember the days of lemonade-
sipped under the watchful eyes of the
elm? During summer she always
preened about rearranging her leaves
to satisfy no one in particular. Busy work,
until it was her hour to baby sit me.

Grandma hollers from the clothes line-
letting me know it's time to feed the lost
kitten. " He shall return someday, " she
says. You never did. I missed out on
long afternoons with you, spent curled
together on the window seat. All that remains
are the wounds from when you tried to kill me with
your claws.

Now that I am older and no wiser, I found out
I am allergic to cats and to you. I still
love the intoxication of lemonade on a southern
day. Life sends me lemons now. I cut myself
shaving this morning. I watched the pink blood
swirl down the drain. It reminded me of you.