“My cat is a jerk”

My cat is a jerk, there’s no doubt in my mind,  
He wakes me at dawn, leaving mercy behind.  
With a thud on my chest, then a pat to my nose,  
He demands breakfast now—and nobody knows  
How a ten-pound of fluff wields such power and wile  
With the twitch of a whisker, or cunning sly smile.

He topples my plant from the windowsill high,  
Looks down at the mess with a glint in his eye.  
He strolls through my Zoom calls, his tail standing proud—  
Then presses mute, purrs smugly, as if he’s bowed  
To the court of his kingdom, my laptop his throne—  
A sovereign of chaos, assured and full-grown.

He turns up his nose at the food that he begged,  
Then hunts down my shoelaces, perfectly pegged  
For a chase through the hallway at three in the morn.  
Why sleep while there’s mayhem?—his motto since born.  
He’ll knock over water, then look up with glee  
While I mop up his antics, resigned as can be.

But when evening falls and I’m ready for rest,  
This tyrant curls up, little spoon at my chest,  
He purrs like a river, warm, deep, and sincere,  
And I know, in that moment, why I keep him near.  
For life with a jerk cat, so tricky and sweet,  
Is a story of chaos—delight on four feet.

Create Your Own Poem | Recent Poems