My daughter's cat.

I wrote this poem years back, in the early morning hours, while visiting my daughter in Chicago:

My Daughter's Cat

She jumped up on the table and sprawled herself upon

the book of Ancient Philosophy I had been reading.

Did she know the argument Thrasymachus puts forth therein,

that Justice is to the advantage of the stronger?

Or was she just taking possession of that which was mine?

Perhaps, she intended to show me something more profound.

She jumped off the table, leaving the book to me,

and went to the French doors leading to the deck above the street.

She licked her paw and scrawled a sign upon the glass,

and the Black Labrador watch dog at the mechanic's shop

across the street, wagged his tail and looking up at her barked to announce

that a new day had begun and the parade of commerce could now commence.

She stared through the glass and pointed out to me the trail of ants,

crossing the deck with their heavy loads in their own form of commerce;

and pointed to the old haggard man wheeling his grocery cart loaded

with used pallets he hoped to sell for enough to gain his breakfast,

and the old black man begging for five to load and unload a truck

earning something to bring home to family living outside the agora.

The constant parade of tractor trailers, and single body trucks

moving fish, meat and eggs, transferring them from one warehouse to another,

dealing in the goods that would be used by others in other far off places.

I wonder; Is there a Socrates to dispute Thrasymachus in such a place?

Can Glaucon be the older brother to a Plato here, admiring the stonecutter–soldier,

expounding the verdict on the nature of Justice to those of us who would desire it?

Perhaps my feline friend is telling me that: "Each thing in its place is best;

And what seems but idle show Strengthens and supports the rest. ...".

But I doubt she heard of Longfellow, or ever been to New England.

She jumps upon the arm of the couch where I am seated and with a whirring motor

in her chest, she rubs her ears upon my arm and shoulder, in a language clear and distinct,

with an assertive "Meeow!" she announces her thesis that Love is twin sister to Justice.

"σ᾿ ἀγαπάω"