Behind the books

Behind the books my cat sleeps as I write.
She's nursing a cold, she sniffles and sneezes.
Her vet is off, so a visit to the vet will have to wait.
I'd like to take a shower now but if I stand up,
I know she'll wake.
I grant her a few more minutes, perhaps it would help.
Drive away the cold, the sniffles, the sneezes.

She's heavier now, her new teeth emerging.
And she tries them on me every goddamn morning.
She bites my legs, bites my toes, bites my knees.
She recently discovered elbows are tasty.

I have scratches everywhere as we struggle through this phase.
I've tried slathering creamy body lotion to ward off her teeth.
Works a bit, but not alright.

She hates me twice every morning.
She bites my legs to get even.
When I ignore her meows and sleep in.
She bites my legs to get even.
When I put on my shoes to go to work.
She bites the top of my foot.

Then like a lover scorned
She welcomes me with meows and paws
When the day is done.