I chase away the strange young cat
behind my car, so I won’t run it over.
It dives underneath! I shout and thump
until it darts further, crouching big-eyed
under a sparse bush on next-door’s lawn.
Are you lost, little one? I can’t help. Can’t stop,
can’t be late. And if I took you in, my Poppi
would grow fierce and attack. I think you look
well enough, but slender. I drive away, calling
on Bast to protect you and lead you home.
Today I’m inspired to place around my neck
an amulet connecting me to Maat,
Goddess of harmony, balance and truth.
A great magician, my friend,
decades ago did special work
to embed in a trinket this purpose: a gift to me.
Lately I’ve been more focused
on protective Bast, who looks after cats
and those who care for cats. But now, perhaps
it may be time to create more order in my unruly life.
Image available through Creative Commons: CC BY-SA 4.0
File: Maat.svg Created: 19 December 2007, author assumed to be Jeff Dahl
