I'll Take What I Can Get

I tricked the cat into licking me again--
it's the high point of my day--her tongue

is just so gloriously scratchy, so
much like a pumice stone (I'm hoping

she can wear away my calluses)--
beautiful in its versatility,

squishiness & skill--she treats me
like a popsicle--

or perhaps i'm really an albino-
flavored snow-cone perspiring my

syrupy goodness (oh
magical shrinkage) waiting for whatever

comes first: the saving grace of winter or this
charitable feline to lap me up.