In the daylight I felt my body quake
Warmth of the sun on my back
The sound of his breath in my ear
A cat meowing on the fire escape

I padded across to the kitchen
My studio apartment felt woken
As if my stretch and yawn caused a stir
The man however didn’t

Put on the coffee
Crack a few eggs
Scramble it with some whole milk
Talk to the cat

It had appeared one rainy fall
Cats normally choose you
He? She? It? November?
Came with the scent of burning wood and onset rain

Autumn was the greatest time of year
Sweater weather, Comfiness
The love and appreciation of what you have
November came with a loud meow

An orange tabby
With brown highlights
Begging for safety
They smelled the rain too
Ran inside as the window opened

A relationship
Not ownership
Comes and goes when sees fit
Has a bed, food, and water

Leaves presents on the fire escape
Only comes in when it rains and to eat
Says good morning and good night
Studies, cooks and sings with me

The man stirred and raised quickly
Nightmare? Slept so good was unaware?
Where he was, who he was with
His focus came slow just like his sly smile

November came in
Meowing as if asking who he was
“A friend who stayed over. Handsome, right?”
The man’s smile turned boyish

Hand stretched out to welcome this authority
November must have approved
Jumped in the man’s lap
Purring and kneading his bare skin

Brown boy
Orange cat
Moring glory
Let’s eat

November enjoyed a bowl of wet food Between I and him
Trusted, but know your place
November kept an eye on him