The cold is new
after days of heat
and the cat’s fur stands up
a razor ridge along his back

he makes his legs stiff and straight:
he crab-walks left
he crab-walks right

he digs at nothing in the grass

then runs off down the lawn
          like a mad fool
full out long curved claws,
erect whiskers and ears,
and a soundless laugh everyone can hear.

-Kevin Trammel
2/16/2022