Cat Ear

Watching the late afternoon sunlight
shout through my window,
it suddenly caught the paper thin skin,
the perfect curve,
of my cat’s ear as she perched on the sill.

The pale ear lit up like a tiny monitor,
revealing small crimson veins,
vibrant with circulating blood life
branching in a network as if on a hand,
or young leaf.

Just over the delicate furred edge,
grows a thicket of protection,
coarse interior hairs strategically thicken
guarding the inner chamber.

A marvel this robust ear,
acute hearing
the magical cartilage swiveling endlessly
for prey, for rogue sounds,
even in sleep.

But as ever, the sun wanes,
the cat disappears,
and I’m left to my own devices.