The Astronaut's Cat

the astronaut's transport idles

outside the house

as it has for ten minutes

for there is a cat on the astronaut's lap

draped over both thighs

the woman is pinned in place

as if flattened by a furry anvil

the cat purrs

bares its belly

the woman strokes those soft

tabby stripes

thinks of how the spaceflight will be

so very long

the transport honks again

the astronaut continues to pet the cat

memorizes how the purr vibrates

through her legs

how clouds of loose fur

drift through the air