Food is his heaven; abstinence his hell.
A neutered cat who shares his house without
mice or another pet, he tends to dwell
on what there is to eat. I bawl him out,
in sermons, calling gluttony a sin
punishable by death. I quote his vet.
A sideward glance suggests that I have been
hoodwinked by science. He knows how to get
his way through scolding or cajolery
in equal measures more or less. Besides,
I understand him, practically agree
that food is life while appetite derides
warnings from scientists or clergy that
too much to eat bodes ill for man or cat.