Baudelaire’s Cats

By Hy Sobiloff

Baudelaire’s cats

Terrify my window

Strange sex meows

No sound of respectability

Their taciturn harmony

Speechless eyes

Long rhythm

Convincing alleys

Linear shadows across the fence

Remains of night

They sprawl sprint

Front legs across the threshold.

Copyright Credit: Hy Sobiloff, “Baudlaire's Cats” from Poetry vol. 112, no. 4, September 1968.

Source: Poetry (September 1968)