still life

you place an apple
onto the table
next to a green
pear and a banana
that has almost
gone bad. you
stand back
at your easel
with brush
in hand. there
are flies
in the room.
there is a cat
on the table watching
what you are doing.
she licks
a paw then rubs
the back of ear.
she has all
day to do this,
but chooses now
while you are
in the middle of
something important
to take a bath.
the cat has no
real affection
for still life.
she needs a mouse
to chase,
as do you.