Total Surrender

He is defenceless against

my intention to bring 

some semblance of order

to his shallow apricot pelt,

too long ungroomed, and

he guised as a neglected 

orphan.  Tiny and defenceless

he has no option but to 

submit after the first few

feeble protests, snarls and

absurdly bared teeth. On my

lap he sprawls, scissors

clicking, light fuzz falling

away, the sun warming us

both, the sound of a cardinal

sweetly distant, and in a

moment he is completely

compliant, held fast in a

slumber of total surrender.