Timothy Ray Poet Free verse

Abby curls up in my lap

Abby curls up in my lap
i massage her back
with gentle yet firm pressure
pay attention to her ears and chin
the purring commences
oxytocin is permeating her neural network
driving strong feelings, empathy, trust, relaxation 
a commonality in virtually all vertebrates
such a gift we share within Creation
plants have peptides to promote wellness
they share this with other invertebrates
an evolutionary process parenting oxytocin
the gifts of Creation breathe participation
i am suspecting a direct mandate
and certainly Abby seems to agree
hug a child, welcome home kiss
hand upon a grieving shoulder
cupping a worried chin
lost in tasks weighing one 
disappear with a whisper, i love you 
the task seems not too demanding
to share such a gift, given no charge we bear
Abby looks up, contented, stretches upward
brushing my cheek with hers
it's a cat's way to leave their scent
signifying ownership
my interpretation: forehead kisses
signifying deep care, protection, tenderness, comfort
given it's a simple massage, who could ask for more
sometimes when i ponder God's reasoning
i always remember mother's advice
curiosity killed the cat
i learned from philosophers to avoid ruminating
mom would remind you the best blessings
are the ones we share

   Oregon   9/17/26

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Nine Dragons September 19, 2026 at 9:03 PM "Curiosity killed the cat", indeed. A very good point to remember. Why question joy shared, given, received. Just enjoy. A very good and relatable poem. Timothy Ray September 20, 2026 at 12:40 AM Thank you for your comment… Often in my study of philosophy i learned from philosophers to avoid overthinking; it has this habit of abandoning common sense and sadly presenting a facade, a pretense of uncommon sense. simplicity has made my life unencumbered, making the lives surrounding me a joy to share.

Andrea Dietrich September 17, 2026 at 1:45 AM This is a sweet picture of cat contentment. I really love when my cat Chico visits me long enough to let me enjoy his purring. Sure wish he would come to me more often. Timothy Ray September 24, 2026 at 12:28 AM i am a one-cat man. Where I live, about 5 others wander by and know me well, but I raise only one. I just published Alley from the alley, it is about my first cat. Because of my work i could not have animals. Andrea Dietrich September 23, 2026 at 3:48 PM Just rereading your poem and realizing my mistake at soupmail. You don't have a Chico like I do. You have only Abby. Sorry I didn't pick up on that at soupmail. Do you have other cats as well. We have two others but they belong to my daughter, who had to move back in with us after a divorce last year. She has her 3 young adult kids living with us now too. I kind of like it though hubby not so much! 😄 Timothy Ray September 20, 2026 at 12:44 AM Andrea, your comment made me aware of an aspect I have been slumbering through with my cats. I will explain, but not here. I will get you an explanation.