This week, I’m participating in the the Fearless Songwriter group on Facebook. Each day has it’s own prompt. Today’s is “non-human love”.

This song is my attempt at writing from my cat Betsy’s perspective – particularly regarding his relationship with my friend Doris. Dogs love Doris – she is the ultimate alpha. But whenever she see’s Betsy, she rushes towards him, saying, “Betsy love me!” and he calmly walks away in the other direction.

Dogs seem to respond to gentle firmness, but cats only seem to respond to submissiveness – they have to decide to show you love. I suppose there are advantages to learning to do both – to be an “alpha” dog person who can calmly set and maintain boundaries – and to also be an “omega” cat person who can let go of any semblance of control in a relationship.

—–
I will not tell you I love you
Not when you walk right towards me
I’ll go at my pace
When you’re up in my face
Not right now

Maybe you think you can boss me
Maybe you think I’ll obey you
But I am a wild thing
Listen to me sing
I’ll show you how

All of the love I feel
Is that what you want to steal?
This is my gift to return
So just let go
Maybe now you’ll learn

It’s not like I don’t see you asking
It’s not like I think you’re not there
‘Cause you make so much noise
Like big squeaky dog toys
And I don’t care

So just take a breath and let go now
And maybe I’ll show you I love you
Or maybe i’ll sit here
And let you feel your fear
As I just stare

All of the love I feel
Is that what you want to steal?
This is my gift to return
So just let go
Maybe now you’ll learn
—–