The Martha's Vineyard Times

Poet's Corner: Cat's Smile

February 22, 2012

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Cat's Smile

The joke is on you — don't you know it?

Laughter bubbles out,

Uncontrollable, louder than hoped,

Revealing the hidden corners of your life.

The edges that you are trying so hard to hide,

They poke through like harmless pin pricks.

I can see you through the holes,

The knots of wood, knocked out.

Now the laughter loses all consciousness…

You are lost in the oblivion — the peals of your own

delight

And the crescendo is enough to make

Cats smile.

Holly Wayman is a self-employed art teacher, poet, artist, and musician. She enjoys playing her flute, writing poetry and volunteering at the animal shelter of Martha's Vineyard. She resides in Lambert's Cove and is a native of the Vineyard.

Poet's Corner is a new Martha's Vineyard Times feature. Dan Waters, former poet laureate of West Tisbury, welcomes contributions from all comers, and he will select poems to be published here. Submissions should be directed to dan@indianhillpress.com.