the black cat the red bird and the flower

the black cat the red bird

and the flower

 

 

 

a lovely advantage

a cat in the window

stares at the Cardinal

just outside nipping

at scraps

the seeds of nature's 

allies

who might immediately

become mortal enemies

 

but for the glass between them

if only a window 

could stop

another war

we might shut it

 

and then watch 

the cease fire bloom

from the house next door.

 

 

erin-cilberto

6/14/25

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

The Cardinal must love the fact that the cat is safely behind a glass pane. The cat must be terribly agitated. Reminds me of Myron squeaking at the window not being able to do what nature tells her to. That glass window is all important. How relevant this poem is in the current state of world affairs. There is a fine line between peace and war. It doesn’t take much to shatter. Great poem j.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you so much for sharing Myron's squeaking with us. Those poor birds, she just wants to be friends. Yeah, right!

[butterfly]

if only a window could stop another war. If only it could yes indeed. Another great poem!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind words, butterfly.
j.

[Richard🖌]

'Twould seem, Jacob, any reasonably secure space between peace and world war has suddenly become as fragile as window glass.

Begs the question, "How many/who will join the Cat's team … the Cardinal's, and who'll gather/plant the seeds and enjoy the flowers?

Love the eye-catching title and finalé.
No, one says it like You do! ⁓ Richard🖌

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, Richard.
j.

[Richard🖌]

Aw, 'tweren't nuthin'!

[andrew mitchell]

I wonder if that’s why they call it the looking glass. One becomes isolated from the action only to become a spectator.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

That is a really good point...could be!

[Soren]

Such a marvelous analogy and so well presented. Alas I am afraid that our glass window is history that only allows us to look in horror to see past devastation and no way to get through to remedy it. Such a novel and creative write Jacob

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your very kind review, Soren.
j.

[Lorry]

What a lovely thought. To view a ceasefire bloom instead of the usual chaos of war exploding in a most untoward fashion.
Far better than my thoughts in the cats thinking, that would be along the lines of "play the long game. Act innocent and when it least expects it, pounce and surprise the bejeezus out of it!"
Can you tell im more of a dog person? 😃

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I can tell...thanks for your review, Lorry.
j.

[John the Baptist]

Sometimes civilization's inventions supersede nature, which is "red in tooth and claw." God knows what might be the lot of that poor cardinal were it not for the glass.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like the way you think, John.
Thank you.
j.

[DIVYA]

Life isn't so simple, the poet says, wishing it was simple. Like a child with all innocence, believing in magic. Its very touching and sad at the same time. Because deep within, we know the window won't work and the bird cannot be saved. The compassion and beauty of your words never fails to stir the soul.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

You know me, Divya...that kid in me is still seven and will always remain seven. In so many ways I never grew up. Thank you for your kind review.
j.

[DIVYA]

And you're loved and appreciated much for being you.
You're most welcome, my friend.

[Mauricio Montoya]

Wow love this write, my grandmother love cats and birds she had many cats but one bird in a cage hook to a chain from the roof, only she could reach,lol the cats could only watch because that bird they'll never get, until one day grandma comes to feed the bird, Gone! She was sad because she loved that bird and she loved her kitty's so since she couldn't figure who did it she let it go and til this day we don't how they or Cat got that bird out that cage.
Thank you for sharing.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

We need Sherlock (Big Dog) Holmes to solve the case.
thanks, Mauricio .
j.

[Mauricio Montoya]

lol, Big Cat.