Cat in the gutter - Kamala Das

Cat in the gutter 
- Kamala Das

He said I am a red rag wherever I walk
I am recognized.   I cannot so often come
To sit at your bedside get well
Come to my place again as you used to do
He was yesterdays old rag today thrown
On the garbage heap for such who would care?
He need not have feared at all but
Cowardice was his favourite diet
So who would tell him that when he made love
Grunting groaning and sighing
That with no soul to overpower me
Only his robust limbs
I was just a high bred kitten
Rolling for fun in the gutters