DOES THE CAT?

ABSTRACT – Trees teach us stillness. Clouds remind us of impermanence. The sun exemplifies unconditional giving. Dogs demonstrate loyalty. But how about cats? What can we learn from cats?

by Nik List

The cat purrs.

Does the cat ponder the past? 

Does the cat fret about the future? 

Does the cat carry a grudge?

Does the cat produce? 

Does the cat achieve? 

Does the cat push on? 

Does the cat have long-term goals? 

Short-term goals? 

Do cats have midlife crises?

Does the cat cry over climate change? 

Does the cat recycle? 

Is the cat sustainable? 

Is the cat monogamous? 

Is the cat adulterous?

Does the cat see itself 

As a gender?

As male?

As female? 

As a minority? 

As a victim?

Does the cat refer to itself as ‘I’? 

As ‘Us’?

As ‘Them’?

Is the cat genuinely concerned about 

cultural appropriation?

overpopulation?

discrimination?

The cat might have preferences. 

But does the cat have opinions? 

On the color of its skin?

On the shade of its eyes? 

On the texture of its fur?

On its privilege as a cat?

Do cat lives matter? 

Does the cat need a purpose? 

A meaning?

A creed?

A leader?

A life coach?

A guru?

Does the cat seek validation? 

Does the cat have principles? 

Does the cat call itself a capitalist?

A communist? 

A fascist?

A racist?

A feminist?

An atheist? 

Does the cat wave a flag? 

Belong to a group?

Root for a team? 

The cat climbs a tree. 

The cat dozes. 

Does the cat burn out?

Do cats retire? 

Does the cat need coffee to cope?

Does the cat need porn to get through the day? 

or pills to get through the night?

What’s the cat’s plan?

Does the cat have a plan?

A solid plan? A proper plan?

A premium plan?

A pension plan? 

A plan A, B, or C?

Does the cat gossip?

Does the cat complain about the weather? 

Does the cat compare?

Categorize?

Compartmentalize?

Does the cat lose sleep over anything?

Does the cat? 

Maybe the cat does.