My familiars — cat, fox, owl — sat around a dining room table, drinking whiskey and lamenting my waywardness. The cat especially was a sloppy drinker, while the owl imbibed judiciously. I regret having introduced them to one another. It was easier when I talked with them one-on-one. Now they gang up on me, staging interventions while they drink.
Today they gathered to express their concerns about my disregard toward signs and messages, about not making a conscious effort to bring my dream life into the waking hours. It’s true. I forget my dreams as soon as I turn off the alarm clock. I hardly ever look around myself for signs, directions, helpful hints. Apparently, I missed the digital sign outside a church the other day, which flashed, “Love is everything.”
The fox said that he dug a hole in the backyard, symbolizing the need to dig up the past and deal with buried pain. “That’s too subtle,” I complained. “A mole could have dug that hole.”
We joined hands and paws together at the table. I asked what I should do. The owl said that I should look up to the sky more often, that he is there and he will lift a wing to point me in the right direction. The cat said I would find her sitting atop books, urged that I read the titles and pick the one that most intrigues me. The fox recommended that I walk in the woods and listen for his swishy tail, and then follow down the path.
* * *
Morning light winks on the empty whiskey bottle and a mourning dove coos outside the window. The cat at my head purrs, stretches her back paws, yawns and goes back to sleep. I rescue myself from grief, pushing the covers back, sitting up, standing. Love is everything, I think.
Signs and portents should never be ignored! Listen to your familiars!
Absolutely! Thanks for reading and commenting, Joe.
Ooh, Meg, this is fabulous! I love the tone you use here – gentle chiding as I read it. The directions your familiars give seem so wise and natural. Now I want to go out and instinctively follow tail swishes and read books that I have a “feeling” about!
I’m so happy you liked this, Silver. For some reason, I think if anyone can imagine familiars, it would be you. <3
Now that is a lovely thing to say. Thank you. Mwah ❤️
A perfect post for today. I need some familiars for sure.
Yes, we all do! Thanks for your kind read, Nancy.
quite a vivid dream. was this one of your dreams for real? it’s so intriguing.
Not a dream — totally fiction. I like the idea of familiars sitting around a table and drinking. Thanks for reading, Soapie. Good to see you around these parts.
Oh, Meg. I’ve missed your writing.
I think this is lovely.
I thoroughly enjoyed this!
Super Cats
Catching up on the goings on in Pigspittle, I’ve been derelict…severely. I loved this one, I imagine you so clearly in this fantastic bit of fiction.