The Cats of Mars

by Mary Soon Lee

Refuse to wear spacesuits,

have never been outside,

never hissed at a dog,

never tasted mouse.

Consume 58.2% of the colony’s fish,

most of which they appear

to transmute into fur

to be shed where inconvenient.

Defy gravity (such as it is),

hind legs injecting delta-v

to dock on ductwork

and claw the insulation.

Belong to no nation,

no individual,

crossing borders

as if they own the planet.