The cat invited me to fill my lap
with heavy, lithe contentment.
We curled together on the couch,
purring pressure as she arched her neck
against my hand, languid comfort,
her body nestling into mine.
I roused, my hand still stroking lightly
in my sleep, cat vanished to other ventures,
the niche indented by her form
still vibrant with her warmth,
my fingertips caressing air
in silken touch remembrance.
– Sarah Russell
First published in Purrfect Poetry Anthology
Painting by bdelpesco
For dVerse Poets Pub
Sarah Russell Poetry 
This felt like phantom pains from the time I had cat… lovely to go to sleep together like that..
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There’s nothing like the “white noise” of a cat purring. Thanks, Bjorn.
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Ooh..❤️ I adore that closing line..❤️ *swoooon*
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Thanks, Sanaa. They are like silk, aren’t they.
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I shall read this poem to my cats when each of them takes turns on my lap, Sarah. My two great loves – cats and poetry.
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Thanks, Kim. I hope they enjoy it. (If you pet them whilst reading it, they’ll like it better…)
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This is lovely, and the idea of the cat inviting and leaving at will is so true. We get them on their terms. 🙂
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Absolutely on their terms. Thanks, Crystal.
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the contentment of the purring……the touching, the caressing, the closeness…and then the phantom touch even when that creature of comfort has left one’s sphere of curved body, the well where it once was. Beautiful.
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Thanks so much, Lillian!
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I wish I had a cat like that instead of the two antisocial savages that live here.
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Oh, I feel for you. There’s nothing like a cat who won’t have ANYTHING to do with you. They owe you a cuddle every once in awhile.
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The little one isn’t unfriendly but she’s in a world of her own, not entirely feline. When you pick her up she goes sort of stiff like a stuffed toy. Trixie just won’t be picked up. I’ve never known a cat, not even our Siamese, with such a repertoire of angry noises.
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A gorgeous poem that brings back happy memories from all the rescue cats we used to have. Sometimes I can see that soft dent on the duvet amd hear a gentle purr as if they continue to visit from across the rainbow 🌈
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Thanks, Xenia.
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You bring me right there and then in the moment of contentment, and then remembering her warmth ~ Lovely share Sarah ~
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Thanks so much, Grace.
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I like the description of the cat filling one’s lap with contentment.
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Love their purr. Contentment for sure!
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I’m a cat lover even though I’m severely allergic. Their silken feel is like no other. Love this phantom cat.
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I’m allergic too, but I do love them!
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🙂
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I always called their purring kitty magic. I love this poem. It brings back all the cats I ever loved.
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Oh, I love ‘em too. Tuxedo Cats mostly. Thanks, Toni.
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🐱
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“my fingertips caressing air
in silken touch remembrance.”
Lovely.
All your words breathe contentment.
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Thanks so much. I think the contentment they bring is why we love them so.
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you’ve described this warm and comforting experience so well.
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Thanks, Beth!
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Absolutely purrfectly catlike! Made me smile, cuz you wrote exactly the way cats are.
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Thanks, Kris. I love the quiet sensuality of cats, so that’s what I was aiming for. Glad it succeeded!
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it did!
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Kinda made me want to purr myself. Well done!
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Aw, thanks, Sue!
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kaykuala
I roused, my hand still stroking lightly
in my sleep, cat vanished to other ventures,
Such a blessing to be comfortably having a nap together
Hank
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Indeed it is. Thanks, Hank.
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Cats. They do call the shots don’t they. So beautifully written Sarah:)
Pat
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Thanks for stopping by, Pat. Yes, they do call the shots. But they’re worth it when they decide to love you.
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Yes they are ☺
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The “silken touch remembrance” still rings true to me even though the last time I had a cat nap was over a decade ago. A beautiful write here. Purrfect!
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Thanks, Colin. I don’t have a cat now either, but that kind of soft lingers, doesn’t it.
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Sure it does!
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Oh! How this makes me miss my cat! This is beautiful.
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I don’t have one right now either, and I miss that sweet presence.
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