the stray cat

the stray cat
that wanders
the apartment complex,
I let it in,
fed it some tuna fish

It's a sweet cat,
a good companion
but without a home
and it hasn't found one

I've neither the money
nor the health,
nor land-lord's clearance
without money...
which shouldn't matter
so much

It's one of a long line
of poor man's relationships
(drinking friends
and women with conflicted feelings)
fleeting things
based on humanity
and common understanding,
warmth and affection
between encounters
with the cold and violent storm

The cat
(its soft fur slightly ragged)
eyeing me with love
but slightly wary
understands all this