Mothering

Half-falling, half-flying, the young sparrow

Looped from the nest, and the cat

Leaped and snagged it out of the air,

Padded into the shade

With the bird warm in her mouth,

Ripped it apart and ate it,

Then lay on her side in the kitchen

Among the feathers,

Suckling each one

Of her innocent kittens, and purring.