DavidFriedland

We came because a human stood
and thought we’d answer—One, Two, Three,
he tried to gather something wise…
we let him think it so would be.

He asked, “Why stare at empty walls?
There’s nothing there to see.”
We did not blink. One tail replied,
“There is. You lack the key.”

“Then why the midnight racing storms?
No prey, no urgency?”
“The night is full of moving things—
you miss them. We are free.”

“Why knock things down I set with care?
They sit just fine for me.”
“If it can fall, it should be known.
We test reality.”

He shifted then: “Why ignore me
when I call you constantly.”
“We hear you every single time.
We choose selectively.”

At last, more quiet: “Why, when I’m low…
do you come and sit with me?”
No clever words were offered then—
one rose… and closed the space between them gently.

No grand decree. No lesson carved.
No spoken clarity—
just quiet weight beside his side…

…the answer of the Three.

(I'm literally trapped! So I write. Please forgive me for this one 😭)

TLDR; Kitty fell asleep on me. I'm trapped!

Behold brave Izod Man, some say, who once could freely walk away.

He roamed the house both near and far, the kitchen, couch, and even the car.

He made his plans. He ruled his fate. He chose his bedtime. Chose his plate.

Then one white cat climbed in his lap.

And that, dear friends,

was simply that.

For now he sits both still and mild, captured by his fluffy child.

His arm asleep. His leg gone numb. Yet dares not move a single thumb.

The cat extends one snowy paw to reinforce the ancient law:

"The lap is mine. The human stays. He may resume his life in days."

And there he sits without complaint, his freedom fading, growing faint.

While on his sock, in letters grand, appears the mark of Izod Man.

A warning to both young and old: No prison bars. No chains to hold.

No locked-up cell. No evil plan.

Just one white cat...

and Izod Man. 🐾

White Cat's Lullaby

White cat sleeps in quiet light,
Blanket warm and moon just right.
Black cat watches, always near—
In his dreams or curled ear to ear.

Soft as stars and brave as flame,
Guardian shadow, without name.
Sleep, sweet snow, no need to roam—
Your angel’s here to guide you home.

Hello, my sweet child,
Come closer to me.
Those beautiful eyes
Have so much to see.

You thought you were hiding—
Oh, goodness... not quite.
I've watched over you
Since your very first sight.

You've been oh so busy,
As young children do.
But now that you're with me,
I've wonders for you.

We'll tumble together,
We'll scamper and play.
I'll teach you the games
That can fill up a day.

But first comes our language.
Your meows are brand new.
They're soft little whispers...

They'll blossom in you.

Now borrow my eyes
For a moment or two.
The world may seem brighter
Than anything new.

You'll wonder why colors
Feel deeper somehow.
Why things you've walked past
Will be calling you now.

You'll notice the smallest
Of movements nearby.
The dance of the stillness.
The hush passing by.

At first it feels heavy,
Like too much to bear.
A million small wonders
All waiting out there.

But slowly you'll find,
As your heart understands,
The world has been waiting
Inside gentle hands.

Then one day you'll ask me,
"Why does time seem to fly?
Why does morning become
A soft evening sky?"

I'll smile as I nuzzle
The top of your head.

"Because when you notice
How beautiful life is...

You stop counting the moments...

And simply
live them instead."

Then you'll see
Like me.

And you'll understand..

Who painted this cat black?
I need to know the hack.
He looks like midnight grew some legs
And learned to steal my snacks.

Who painted that one white?
He's powdered sugar & bright.
He watches every dumb decision
Like he's getting paid tonight.

One says, "Parkour!" off the bookshelf.
One says, "Don't involve me."
One commits twelve little felonies.
One provides the commentary.

One is soot and bad ideas.
One is clouds and class.
Together they're a balanced meal
Of elegance and ass.
(Am I allowed to say that, do I get a pass?)

Who painted this cat black?
Who painted that one white?
Who looked at yin and yang and thought,

"Let's make 'em both a little shite."

Don't Wake Me Up... I'm Trying to Be Good

This is the longest I've behaved
since kittenhood.

I shut my eyes
as tight as glue.
One little giggle...

I'll be coming for you.

'Cause I had three bad notions
ready to leap.
Thankfully...

They all fell asleep.

Don't pet my belly.
Don't boop my nose.
That's how the trouble
just starts to grow.

One bad idea
still wants the blinds.
Another idea keeps
changing its mind.

The third one's smiling.

That should concern.

He's usually first
to take his turn.

You think this nap
is just for me?

No...

It's for the lamp,
the drapes, and
the indoor tree.

The sofa called
to thank me in my dreams.
The curtains formed
their own safety team.

The coffee mug
stopped shaking too.
The bookshelf said,
"We're gonna pull through!"

The vacuum smiled.
The broom stood tall.
Nobody's panicked...

Not at all.

The house has never
been this neat.

Even the dust
feels complete.

So let me snore.
Don't make a sound.
Good decisions
can still be found.

But wake me now...

And here's the scoop...

I'll have six bad ideas
before you boop.

So let me sleep.
Don't interfere.

I'm doing excellent work...

From right...

over here.

Why do you cover me
Before I fall asleep?

Because some little promises
Are mine to keep.

Why do you smile at me
When I stare?

Because I never feel alone
The moment you're there.

Why do you call me "best boy"
Every single day?

Because some simple truths
Should never fade away.

Why do your fingers
Find the top of my head?

Because they learned
Their favorite place
The very first day we met.

Why do you stop
To watch me close my eyes?

Because peace has whiskers,
A pink little nose,
And the smallest disguise.

Why do I matter
When I've done nothing grand?

Because love has never measured
The size of your hand.

It measures quiet moments...
The ones no one else can see.

Like the way you always save
The best of you...

For me.

SHHHH! Don’t wake the lion,
He’s dreaming in his den,
Of stalking through the bedroom
And hunting mice again.

His snowy mane is mighty,
His whiskers fierce and long,
He rules the quilted kingdom—
Where every cat belongs.

His paws are built for pouncing,
His claws are tucked away,
But should a careless toe go by…
That toe might be his prey!

He prowls across the pillows,
He conquers every chair,
He guards the wild savannah
From halfway up the stair.

His tail can lash like thunder,
His eyes can flash and gleam,
He’ll chase a fearsome feather
Across a sunlit stream.

He roars when bowls are empty,
A dreadful, mournful sound:
“Meee-OWWW!” it shakes the jungle
And echoes all around.

He stalks the mighty red dot,
He hunts the crinkly mouse,
No creature dares to challenge
The lion of the house.

But now his hunt is over,
His fearsome roar is done;
He’s curled his tail around him
And sleeping in the sun.

So tiptoe past his kingdom,
Be quiet as can be…
That fluffy little lion
Is wild as wild can be.

His mighty paws are twitching—
He’s chasing something spry…

SHHHH! Don’t wake the lion.
Just let the big kitty lie.