My cat sits down at the end of the hall,
Quietly watching and waiting for me.
She meows aloud, but I ignore her call,
Intent on finishing chapter three
Of the amazing book my brother sent,
A birthday gift of time well spent.

She calls once more, demanding my view,
Signaling clearly what she means to do.
“Close that book and put it down now,”
The message made clear in the tone of her meow.
I sigh, giving in to my little Queen,
Who rules my home, my heart, and my dreams.

I follow her lead down the long hallway;
She stops at the bedroom and waits for her cue.
I open the door so we can end the day,
And kick off my shoes as she hops into view.
Up on the mattress she makes a quick leap,
Ready to guide me away into sleep.

I climb into bed and she gives me a bop,
Purring and leaning, demanding my time.
Wanting far more than a simple head pat,
She nestles in close for a cuddle sublime.
I pull up the quilt that is pretty and bright,
Wrapping her silken fur into the night.

What could be better than moments like this?
The love of a cat sending me into bliss.
I drift off to sleep with her close by my side,
Where sun-puddle dreams and bright butterflies hide.
While I am slumbering, she keeps the ghosts small,
Quieting worries that shadow the wall.

I think she communes with the cats of my past,
Who visit from places beyond the bright stars.
They whisper my secrets, laughing at last,
Before they meow softly and leave from afar—
Passing the torch to the one on the bed,
To watch over me as they once did instead.

Through the long night I am safe and sound,
Cradled by love that is deeply profound.
Tomorrow I’ll wake to the sun in the skies,
With coffee, the news, and the morning’s first gleams.
And there on my lap, my sweet muse will arise,
The ruler of all of my days and my dreams.

Her name is Flower, the Queen of my home,
The Monarch who watches and rules over all.
The most exquisite bloom in the garden of my mind,
My Comfort, my Constant, the Sentinal of the hall.

~~ Maria Appleby (May 26, 2026)

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Copyright © 2009-2026 Maria Appleby for Maria’s Musings: Tales My Heart Tells. All Rights Reserved.