April 2, 2018

Ekphrastic April, Day 2: "A Cat"

Artist Henriette Ronner-Knip painted cats and dogs almost exclusively! An obsessive love of pets is not just a late 20th-early 21st century phenonmenon!


"A Cat" (1892) by Henriette Ronner-Knip [1821-1909].

she observes

casually--
her legs neatly tucked

--but always
mindful of signs foretelling
betrayal

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
at

13 comments:

  1. Mary LeeApril 2, 2018 at 8:01 AM

    Those hooded eyes -- half asleep or judging our flawed humanity?!?!

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  2. Gillena CoxApril 2, 2018 at 10:32 AM

    Exqusite painting and cherita. Happy Easter Diane

    much love...

    P.S.
    Monday WRites 148 is live. Please link in


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  3. Linda BApril 2, 2018 at 11:16 AM

    There are times I wonder if cats ever really rest. You've captured that wary demeanor beautifully, Diane-"but always/mindful". The art is exquisite, isn't it?

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    1. Diane MayrApril 2, 2018 at 5:38 PM

      That's why they cat nap 20 hours a day, because they're always on alert.

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  4. KathabelaApril 2, 2018 at 2:27 PM

    at her favorite cat hotel

    my older feline like a youngster
    taps the window

    her wild young lover
    shows up again
    paw to glass

    ~Kath Abela Wilson

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    1. Diane MayrApril 2, 2018 at 5:40 PM

      I love this, Kath! My indoor cat has a black cat who prowls around in front of the window. Drives my cat crazy--from love or anxiety, I'll never know.

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  5. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesApril 2, 2018 at 4:19 PM

    Spot on!

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    1. Diane MayrApril 2, 2018 at 5:47 PM

      Thanks, Michelle! I may throw in another cat cherita, or two, in the coming month, so be sure to come back again!

      Delete
  6. skanny17April 2, 2018 at 7:22 PM

    My sister has a cat like this. Very similar coloring and a similar expression though this one has a look of intelligence. My sister's Tiger Lily is beloved, but a klutz and not the most friendly of cats, unless she wants you to turn on the sink faucet. She is not a bowl cat. She likes her water from the tap. However if you have ever loved a cat, you know that you can have a true relationship with them. We adored our black cat and I still miss him. He was the best. I love how your poem captures that ever ready gaze that cats have, that knowing look and sometimes a bit of disgust.
    Janet Clare F.

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  7. Irene LathamApril 2, 2018 at 8:21 PM

    I'm so glad her "legs neatly tucked" made it into your poem. Love it! xo

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  8. Margaret SimonApril 3, 2018 at 6:55 PM

    "Mindful of signs foretelling betrayal." So that is why the cat looks so wise yet suspicious. If it were my cat, you'd have to keep an eye on those paws.

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