Pilchuck She-Cat Loft

Pilchuck Sunset © Ken James McLeod

And from high above the scree and heather amid the cold-granite rock mixed with ice and snow, I looked out upon the world from the loft here at the summit. How I wished for warmth . . . the warmth of a woman in my arms or her embrace; the smooth contours of her shoulders and waste, the feel of her neck between my hands when we kiss, and the pulse of her heart beating to mine. And then, her outstretched body singing with wanting desire heating up against mine. Alas, I am cold with every breath for there is no woman of warmth here like those I have embraced . . . and my thoughts turn from warmth to the cold-blue earth before me and I shiver. But behold, the last rays of the sunset are of pure gold . . . and a warmth runs through me for just being alive. And I am reminded by the verse, A Black She-Cat, by Matthias Johannssen.......

A Black She-Cat

by Matthias Johannssen

She looked at me like a black she-cat

That stands at one's feet

With yellow eyes

And wants to be stroked.

She looked at me

With pale transparent eyes

And there was silence between us.

Then I stroked her.

note: Matthias Johannessen born in 1930, graduated from University of Iceland, is a journalist, and is the author of verse and Icelandic poetry books, as well as being published in New World Writing Books.

(inspired from paramour union atop Mt. Pilchuck Ridge . . . July 23-24, 1983)

KJM