bewilderment

The big cat stretches all the length
of the wood and shakes. Puma, the sign says
an advertisement for a bewildering idea. Be wild.
Be wildernized, euthanized, be meant.
The paws are
the size of my face, and carpeted. No where
to go, so another sleep. The cat snuffs, twists,
piles itself into a corner.
Gets up because there is noise-- the little cat next door is feeding.
Is that your baby? I ask.
The big cat turns and turns, looks at me with derision
shrugs shoulders. Not anymore. Not anymore.
Puts her face up to the wire,
licks, grips, chews
and the little cat can't come closer because
of the harness. Well. In the wild, in wilderness
you'd have a hard life, and maybe your baby
would be dead, I offer. The big cat shrugs,
blinks. You silly human. Once they left open the
door of the cage,
and I didn't leave. The cage itself has
nothing to do with my captivity.