All day long, we hadn’t done anything, actually. Just been with each other. Now she’s lying with me again. As she does more. And as I do more, I notice how beautiful she is. It’s a bit of a shame she’s asleep, because now I can’t see the sparkle in her eyes. Softly I stroke her again. She moves a bit. Don’t wake up, don’t wake up. No. She doesn’t wake up. Just changing her position a bit, nothing more. I have to be careful not to sigh out loud. Stay quiet. Don’t wake her. She’s so cute when she’s asleep. Especially when she’s asleep against me. First, she comes to me, against me, twiddles a bit, and then cuddles herself. Like I’m a blanket, giving her warmth. It seems like, she’d want to get into me. As if I could protect her from the evil world outside. She turns again, but doesn’t wake up. How can she be so fast asleep? Done nothing at all, all day. At least she hasn’t. I have. Not that much, though. Some cleaning. The dishes. Made dinner. A simple meal, however. Just some pasta and a simple sauce in the microwave. When I was in the kitchen, the smell must have lured her. She was all near me, and tried convincing me of letting her have a taste. But of course, I wouldn’t. It just wouldn’t be right. She had nearly licked my plate clean, that’s much she liked the dinner I made. Not the she was so hungry. It’s just her.
And now we’re lying here, full stomach. Resting after a meal. Softly I stroke her again. Unconsciously, she notices. I feel her nails on my skin. A habit she has just as unconsciously. When she’s enjoying something, she pulls with her nails. If my skin is underneath those at that moment, tough luck for me. I can’t blame her. She’s so pretty. So sweet. Some would doubt that, if they saw the scratches on my back. It just happens. She doesn’t do it on purpose. You’re just lying there, actually. And then suddenly those nails in your back. Short pain, but it’s alright.
I smile. The radio’s playing a calm song. I recognize the tones, and sing along silently with Lou Reed. It’s such a perfect day, I’m glad I spent it with you. Outside, the sun is busy disappearing at the horizon which is colouring slightly red. A beautiful sight. I’d wake her, but don’t. To see her sleep like this, is much more beautiful. Very selfish of me, I realize all too well. I know I could see her sleep like this more often. Tomorrow perhaps. Tomorrow it might be rainy, and there won’t be a nice sunset she also could see. But I don’t think she appreciates things like sunsets as much. It’s not something for her. She prefers to sleep, sometimes. The rest she’s radiating overwhelms me. I close my eyes, and enjoy the moment. She’s still asleep in my arms. Motionless. No, don’t fall asleep. This is too beautiful to miss. She wakes up, and yawns. To fall asleep again right away. Gorgeous. She’s very comfortable. Because she’s with me? Of course. Why else? Why else. No, I’m sure. Because she’s with me. Because I give her love, and get it in return, without conditions. Just showing my love, is enough. Like she’s lying here, against me, is the best answer I could get. Can you say, in any other way, to a man that you trust him, by falling asleep against him? No, you can’t. Not to me, anyway. She lifts her head a bit, and touches my arm with her ear. A tingling sensation. I like her so much.
Outside, the sun is almost gone. The perfect day is almost over. We didn’t drink sangria in the park, or visited the zoo. But it’s been a beautiful day. I wanted to take her to the park. People would have looked up. I’m sure they would have. You won’t see something like that every day. Certainly not something this beautiful. Although the greatest beauty is, how she’s lying here. Just sleeping. Just, sleeping. Without talking she’s telling me she trusts me. Completely. A delightful feeling. I stroke her again. Softly. Then I take her tail in my hand, and let it glide away silently. She doesn’t even notice. Sometimes, cats sleep very deeply. Even though it doesn’t seem like that sometimes.



Yves Vandevoort, March 5 2007, for my cats, who express their jealousy towards my muse, by inspiring me.