I Am Only Talking to My Cat Today

By John I. Blair

In my hands I grasp a coffee mug
With the printed legend
“I am only talking to my cat today.”

While not entirely true
(If phone calls may be counted)
The truth is close enough to bother me.

Yet what bothers me the most
Is that the word “today”
After being washed a multitude of times

Has faded almost quite away.
I don’t know what to say
About this process of elimination

For my todays, however metaphoric.
But my hope survives
In that the words “my cat”

(A band of brilliant gold on deepest blue)
Remain as bright and clear
As on the day I bought the mug.

©2022 John I. Blair, 3/26/2022