Malcolm the Cat

Malcolm the cat sits beside the fence

and watches the chickens scratch and peck.

He watches the man fill the water bucket

and scatter the feed.

The sky is gray with March snow,

spring held at bay by an out-of-whack vortex
trees unable to bud, 

birds unable to sing,

crocus unable to bloom.

But Malcolm the cat washes his face and licks his paws and waits.