a little girl
staring, distracted
by the scars on my thighs

she points
"what happened"
with concern in her eyes

...

I pause
"a very mean cat"
I mutter with dismay

she looks
she considers it
and she says, "okay"

I wonder
if she had asked more
what would I say

"this cat
is untamed and unreliable
but it's certainly not a stray

this cat
sleeps in my bed at night
and follows me every day

this cat
I try to ignore or dispute
but it's here to stay

this cat
I'm used to the violence
so it's okay"