THE PURPOSE OF CATS

There is a black cat that lives in our house.
We call him Othello.
I don't know what he calls himself.
He serves no useful purpose,
But makes demands upon our time.

He never caught a mouse,
Nor did an honest day's work.
He requires us to feed and water him,
To change his litter box and provide a
warm place to sleep.

He no longer wishes to be amused by us.
His only function now is to love and be loved,
And that seems to be enough.
It would be for most people.


--Harry L. Serio
1989