Cold Air

For Women

Embracing the darkness like autumn evening,

The cat silently paces into the unforgiving beyond,

As she leaves this orange wall of guardianship,

Trembling behind her like a mirage.

As she reaches that kingdom of cold air,

Un-surveilled, uncalled back by past lives---

She meows victoriously into the night---

Who, quietly, is given to understand

That her paws never tread on corralled land.

Divsha Ray

July, 2026