He survives on rats and pool water,
evades coyotes and heat,
and taunts our Siamese through the patio door.
He’s not quite John the Baptist,
eating locusts and wild honey,
but that fur looks like
it could have been nicked from a camel,
clumps dyed white and black.
And, he does have that dry, warning, desert-y voice, too—
calling out, Phoenix, get your shit together—
it’s about to rain fire. One Who is coming
is mightier than Spring.
© 2025 Jennifer Wagner
What’s Going On? Equinox: Signs of Spring
I see you've met my spirit animal!
ReplyDeleteHa! :-)
Delete"that fur looks like / it could have been nicked from a camel"
ReplyDeleteIs this a stray cat? or a skunk? It's AWESOME! "Phoenix, get your shit together . . . " Powerful.
Stray cat. He may outlive us all!
DeleteThose stray cats have nerves of steel - have to, to survive. I love Shay's comment. LOL.
ReplyDeleteHe has adapted to the environment and definitely is a survivor! Something admirable about that!
ReplyDelete"He" is quite a character. Regal, I must say. Love your title too. :)
ReplyDeleteA natural survivalist in the wild and love his call One Who is coming is mightier than Spring.
ReplyDeleteAmen to all such prophets! This one's as tough as he looks, and a survivalist with a vision to boot. What a sight to see (and hear) through the vitality of your painter's words!
ReplyDelete