A poem from a kitty

A pair of cats moved in with us the other day.  Their owner is traveling too much to really give them the attention they need, so she's been searching for just the right fit for them for a while.  Happily, it's us and Odin and Data moved in on Monday.

While I will, at some point, talk about Odin, today it's all about Data.  Data has not only taken up residence in my office on the shelf just below my reference shelf but has also learned, when my computer is open, how to turn iTunes on and off and adjust the brightness on my computer screen when he chooses to take up residence behind my computer.

Yesterday he spent about an hour in my lap, listening to music and getting his ears scratched.  Then he looked at me and I heard his poem.

I Knew I Would Love You

I knew I would love you

When you sat quietly

     watching me

     watching you.

I knew I would love you

When you smiled softly

     and held out your hand

     and then waited for me to take it.

I knew I would love you

When you laughed at me

     and that joyful noise

     made me smile through my fear.

I knew I would love you

When you recognized my sadness

and told me you understood

you were sad too, but together we'd be OK

I knew I would love you

When you sat patiently

offering me food

even though eating was the last thing I wanted.

I knew I would love you

When you didn't scold me

for messing with your music

or your computer.

I knew I loved you

For all those reasons and more.

     So I sat in your lap and purred 

and let you scratch my ears

and rub my soft belly 

to tell you I was now yours.

For all those reasons,

You may now say I'm your cat.