Wednesday 8 January 2014

Once upon a laptop tapping




A writing prompt from Trifecta
WHATEVER 
3.   (adverb) Used to show that something is not important



I had been trying to write.   To write poetry in fact which is an infection that flares up every now and again.   It wasn’t flowing though, I couldn’t get the rhythm right and it wasn’t helped by the pernicious temptation to browse the Internet in between thoughts.   Even that was interrupted by an irritating repetitive scratching at the door.

Roused I was from browsing languor, roused from torpor into anger

I got up and let Edgar in.   He gave me the look of self-satisfied contempt that comes so easily to his kind.
“What on earth are you looking at now?” he said in tones of mock outrage as he saw my monitor.  I hastily closed the browser down, almost knocking over my glass in the process.

Guilt and shame made me a fumbler, racing swift to shut down Tumblr

“Inspiration,” I said, “I’m writing poetry.”
Think cats can’t laugh? It’s all in the ears.  Edgar hopped up on the desk, nudging my mouse a few times.  He likes his little visual jokes.

There he sat the feline critic making mock and oh so clever

“You won’t get inspiration from looking at those pictures,” Edgar said, “not for poetry anyway.  Not for poetry you’d want anyone to see.  You only write poetry when you’re miserable.  Are you miserable?”
He was curious (naturally) but not concerned.  His enquiry was entirely academic.
“Not particularly,” I replied, “but I’m sure you can help with that.”
Edgar thrashed his tail and narrowed his eyes.

Angry now at being challenged angry now but still so clever

“I’m sure I can.  I’ll consider that a life goal, shall I?” he said.
I sighed.  Edgar in a bad mood was not a comfortable housemate.
“Sorry Edgar,” I said, “You just caught me at a bad moment.   Why don’t I open up a can of tuna for you?”
He swished his tail as he jumped down from the desk and sauntered from the room.

Quoth the feline, “meh, whatever.”



(Edgar also appears here)

30 comments:

  1. Elegant as ever, and so well observed LM x

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  2. This is FANTASTIC!!! Enjoyed from start to finish. I've never lived with a cat but imagine it to be like this!

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    1. Exactly like this except for the talking, and often far worse. Glad you liked it.

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  3. This is pretty much how a conversation with a cat would go. Love the 'whatever' ending.

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    1. The attitude was invented by them I am sure

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  4. hah, such a great take on a cat, and I love the modified Poe :)

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  5. My cat is a critic. She'll lay across my arms so I can't reach my keyboard.

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  6. Cat stories are pretty much in fashion right now ;) Loved it ! xx

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  7. Poe missed an opportunity writing about that raven. This is wonderful!

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    1. Poe enjoyed writing stories of the macabre and gruesome - but surely he would have been hesitant to plumb the depths of feline matters?

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  8. ahhh I want a cat just to name Edgar now haha

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  9. lol No, really, lol
    If anyone can diss a raven, it is a housecat.
    Fantastic, Thomas, the ht, the poem and the story.

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    1. Thanks for the feedback Kymm, glad you liked it

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  10. Truly excellent all around!

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  11. Thomas, if poetry for you is an infection that flares up from time to time, your writing, I hope comes on like a full blown Spanish flu epidemic! What a brilliantly wonderful treat it is to read what you pen. This was such a delightful piece!! Well done!!

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    1. Thank you Valerie - I am trying to encourage the Flu, believe me. Really appreciate your feedback

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  12. Ha ha! I love this. The cat nudging the mouse is great. Thanks for linking up.

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    1. You're welcome, thanks for the chance to do so.

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  13. Ummmm - the cat's meow - pun intended. When I first got a computer, I had an aloof, bushy resident cat who proclaimed it his exquisite butt warmer. Periodically, the computer who beep with a message at a command made from his imperial paw. All commands were, "Stop and pet me. Thank God, it wasn't get up and open tuna."

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    1. Yep that rings true! Thanks for the feedback

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  14. Really glad you liked it Jo-Anne, thank you!

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  15. Great writing! I think you've nailed it.

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