This morning I jumped
At my own shadow and yours
Our dark followers
You bark only at
The truly terrifying—
Headlights
Skittering leaves on pavement
The long black shadow of
The small black cat
The one who is the rightful heir
Due to inherit the kingdom
Of our street to rule semi-benevolently
As the last cat did before him
Some are born to royalty
Me —I think I was a peasant
And you were a peasant’s dog
Both of us happy with small things
Good scents to sniff in the wet grass
And a dark warm morning when
We don’t need mittens to lose on our walk
Puff Of Smoke Poems 