The following poem was not submitted for review during class. It was written as a potential Poem 5 submission.

Black Cat Boyfriend

He is her black cat boyfriend,

A domesticated panther no longer on the prowl.

Still deemed dark and dangerous

By passersby as they stay clear of his path.

American Traditional style tattoos cover his skin

From thick neck to knobby knees,

But she is the girl-next- door.

A doll in the eyes of their small community

With flawless porcelain skin and sun golden hair.

She’s all light and laughter wearing her

Sweet little pale blue floral summer dress

Sitting next to him on his stained second-hand sofa.

He moves her blonde hair behind her right shoulder

Then cups that tiny chin to lift her beautiful face.

He goes in for a deep kiss, kissing and waiting for…

There.

The little whimpers and sighs that sound like purring

To his ears as her hand slips under his shirt.

She pets the ink on his abdomen, her fingers tracing

The castle tower and words of defiance imaged there.

Even with eyes closed, her accuracy is remarkable

He thinks to himself of their familiarity.

Through the course of the relationship, never secret

So continually questioned by family, friends, and nobodies.

He is taken from his train of thought as she stands

And the summer dress finds its way to the floor.

She’s wearing a matching white lace bra and panty set

As she shifts on her feet, turning to show herself off.

“I bought them for you,” she says. “Do you like them?”

He should tell her the purchase wasn’t necessary,

Nothing or mismatched and ratty would still do the trick.

Instead, he just smiles and runs his hands along her curves

Stopping at her hips and pulling her into him as he stands.

The “mmm” sound escapes her lips, a sign to move on.

He takes her hand and leads her to his bedroom, time for

Progressing from passionate pawing to more vigorous mating.