It has assumed A place Demanding But unsure. Comfort is The beast's Drive and Its guide. Does it feel good? Does scare? Does it taste good? Is it warm? “Entertain Me!” Says she. Her terms. Always. It cannot be bothered. Mice to chase Rats to scare Love is for fools. Unbothered if I care. Whose presence alone is an intrusion. She is teaching me Her language. Mews for food, Mreows for scratches. For the front door, A little Mreuh And for the rear, A slight modification of a raised tail. I am on to her game And practice my own Training through Aloofness. It is a challenging Course, Ignoring pleads For needs. But I am a Hard master And I refuse to Bend to her will. If her hunger is Too great, too demanding, Then feed her to the Tiger of the night. And here we are. You thought There would be A redemption arc. A hero's journey Where an obstacle is overcome And a lesson learned To make a better man or cat. Instead — just two stoic souls Out-waiting the Damnedness of the other.