Black Cat Poem by Juan Olivarez

Black cat on the garden wall,
Infernal wailing makes my skin crawl.
Cold yellow eyes, staring at me,
Into my soul he seems to see.

Hair standing straight up, on his arching back,
His mangy bones, I'd like to crack.
A walking harbinger, of all evil things,
Misfortune and adversity, his presence brings.

Like a serpent, his tail dances around,
Beckoning to me, making no sound.
Come closer it says, come near to me,
I came for you, what must be must be.

You cannot run and hide away,
I will follow you till you're old and gray.
A burlap sack in the river sank,
Six tiny lives, flung from the bank.

I will follow you, till death you crave,
I will follow you and dance on your grave.
I have nine lives, you have just one,
And I will be there, when you are gone.

3/05 Alton Texas