A cold October night
all's quiet
save for our kitty
miaowing plaintively
at the back door

After a while my wife
only a touch exasperated
gently orders me
to leave the couch
and let him in

Now he's purring in my ear
rubbing his cheek
against my cheek
tickling my neck
with his soft fluffy tail

And I've completely lost
whatever I was thinking
prior to this onslaught
of unsolicited affection

An unexpected but
not wholly unwelcome
complement to the night's
burden of lethargy
and calm

Which has returned
now that he's sleeping
in a ball beside me
dead out in the way
only a cat can do