November’s black cat--By Barbara Robinette--United States

 November’s black cat

purrs on my lap

on a quiet cloudy day

and it takes courage

to turn off the kitchen neon bright,

let in morning’s outside light

misty cool and grey,

to hear beyond the closed window

the raucous wild and solemn cry

of brother blue jay.

previously published in the author’s book

Sea Leafs By Moon

Barbara Robinette is the author of two books of poems, Plain and Sea Leafs By Moon.  A third book is forthcoming. Several of her poems have appeared in print and on-line.  She has written poems, off and on, since President Kennedy’s assassination in 1963 when someone read “Oh Captain, My Captain” during the funeral procession.  She thinks poetry is for everyday, working people and keeps that audience in mind when writing her poems.