The shadow of the red-tailed hawk
passed over the tuxedo cat
as we sat outside today,
watching for chipmunks.
I was startled, as was he.
The hawk had dropped down
from the tree in front of the
house. He may have had his
eye on a chipmunk or a mouse,
but he passed between us and the sun,
casting a darkened shade on the ground
where the cat and I were to be found.
The cat started, and looked over his
shoulder at what flew above.
I turned and stared into the sun and
didn’t see the bird until he’d come
to rest on a branch; he gave the two of us
a withering glance, then climbed higher
to the top of the tree. I couldn’t tell if
he’d passed over us because of the cat, or me.
Gerbil News Network 