In the early dark of winter
nestled deep into my chair
lamp light at my shoulder
worksheets strewn
across my knees

My husband’s chair and mine
at right angles, huddling
together in the calm
of our home, relaxed
into our work

A giant black kitty arrives
at my elbow, face lowered
He politely bumps my arm
I kiss his head
he kisses my knee

I’m having an affair
of the heart with our cat

my husband too busy
grading papers
to notice

Kitty glances back to his rival
and whispers

I’ve got your wife

 

Tina Harrach Denetclaw’s poetry has appeared frequently in Eclectica Magazine, Silver Birch Press | Poetry and Prose…from Prompts Series, The RavensPerch, Leading the Way: The Wisdom of the Navajo People, and Synkroniciti. Her debut chapbook, “Life Travels,” will be released in March 2026 from Finishing Line Press. Preorder at: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/life-travels-by-tina-harrach-denetclaw/