the trials of being Natalie

The cat, she is Out
she was out all night
and out this morning
early when I left to catch my ride.
Out.
She likes to be out.
She is well-served today
because I'm not coming home tonight
I'm even now on a train to Paris.
The cat is out.
She was out all day yesterday,
coming in for just a snack in the evening,
and all day today,
and she'll be out all day tomorrow
until at last I arrive
on foot from the station
exhausted
too late for the last bus.
She will be so happy to see me
and to rediscover the Others
who judiciously stayed In with the catfood
She will shiver with joy
and shake her tail
and demand caresses
until it's time to go Out again.