Padded Box

« Padded Box«

I’m curled up in this box,

Four walls, cold, like the bones in my claws.

They think I’m trapped, but I’m not—

I’m a cat. I am the shadow,

The hiss in the dark that nobody sees.

Whiskers twitching, I see everything…

From inside this cage.

It’s my kingdom. My lair.

(Pause, plus sombre)

I remember her—

The one who touched me.

She thought I was a pet,

But I showed her my claws,

My sharp, sharp teeth.

She didn’t like it.

She screamed.

I laughed.

Now I play with them.

In my head, they’re all here,

The people who put me in this box,

Thinking they’re safe.

But I’ll catch them—

One by one,

Like helpless little birds,

Crumpled in my jaws,

Feathers, bones,

Red splatter on the walls.

But for now,

I curl up in my corner,

T ail wrapped tight,

Eyes glowing in the blackness.

They don’t understand.

They never will.

Because I’m a cat,

And cats…

Never forget.

Never forgive.