For Simone Poem by RIC BASTASA

it was not the cat that ate the moon
it was the dog
which is capable of since
its mouth is larger and
and its owner is powerful

the dog is spoiled and the cat knows this
when the dog howls at night
the cat learns how to sleep amidst the
abuse
the charivari of drunken dogs
missing the moon that they have swallowed

the stars knew and so tonight they have kept the distance
afraid of the dogs but still glitter
to appease the
cat so sad inside its nightmares.