CAT PLANT's CHRISTMAS

"Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness.” 

― Mary Oliver

 CAT PLANT'S CHRISTMAS starring Spencer, the  "Scientia Cattus"

 It was Christmas Day. Snow had fallen. Cat Plant was not overly fond of snow. 

 His brother Smokey had always been the one who loved the snow. 

 Christmas Day dawned cold and white. The mountains shivered. Spencer poofed out his sunshiny fur.

 Smokey was nowhere to be seen. Spencer wondered where he was.Their Trail was still there. Spencer padded along by his lonesome.

 He sat on the gate. He would visit. He liked to schmooze.

Spencer wondered when the sun would return. His paws were cold.

 The mountains rumbled and bumbled with the promise of more snow. 

 Spencer froze on the gate.  He saw a furry shape looming over him.

A black cat hovered at the window. It did not move. It was asleep.

 Spencer clawed at the gate. He felt very fierce.

 He decided to sit on the bench. By the bag of dirt.  Planter mix. For the Cat Plant.

 His ears were cold.   He didn't see any flying snacks. He was partial to  flying snacks.

 There would be no plants till spring, thought Spencer. No flower pot to sit in  today.

 His golden paws left prints in the snow. He danced and danced. 

 Spencer was content to sit on the bench and purr. He was having a very nice visit.

 The mountain loomed. More snow threatened. A white white Christmas.

 Spencer sat in his brother's old spot.  Under the eaves. By the window. It was dry.

 He looked out on Christmas Day. A white symphony.

 Then he looked back at me. Thru that window. Our eyes locked. We had both seen it. At the same time.......

The ghost of Smokey. Just like last Christmas Day. Ambling through  the snow. Leaving tracks.

The Cat Plant stood alone.  Looking in the window. Enjoying his own Christmas Day. 

 Spencer moved to the other bench. Near the house. So he could watch .

Watch the ghost of his brother romping by the seed pans. His tail twitching. Happy. Ecstatic. It was Christmas after all . And Spencer felt his paws warm, and his heart sing. 

1. "I heard the bells on Christmas day.Their old familiar carols play;
   In music sweet the tones repeat,there’s peace on earth, good will to men.”
2.                    -Henry W. Longfellow

Smokey

Photographs 2017