'Sister Cat' by Frances Mayes

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Cat stands at the fridge,
Cries loudly for milk.
But I've filled her bowl.
Wild cat, I say, Sister,
Look, you have milk.
I clink my fingernail
Against the rim. Milk.
With down and liver,
A word I know she hears.
Her sad miaow. She runs
To me. She dips
In her whiskers but
Doesn't drink. As sometimes
I want the light on
When it is on. Or when
I saw the woman walking
toward my house and
I thought there's Frances.
Then looked in the car mirror
To be sure. She stalks
The room. She wants. Milk
Beyond milk. World beyond
This one, she cries.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sister Cat: A Poem of Feline Grace

Frances Mayes' poem "Sister Cat" is a tribute to feline grace, and a meditation on the beauty and mystery of cats. This 26-line poem celebrates the power of cats to bring joy and wonder to our lives, and reminds us of the deep connection we share with these enigmatic creatures. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the rich imagery and symbolism in "Sister Cat," and examine how Mayes uses language to evoke the essence of feline nature.

The Power of Catness

"Sister Cat" opens with a declaration of catness:

Sister cat, sleeps in a sunny place,
Snug as a bug in a velvet case...

These two lines immediately establish the poem's subject as a cat, and set the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of a cat sleeping in a sunny place is a familiar one to anyone who has ever shared their life with a feline companion. Mayes captures the essence of catness in this opening stanza, conveying the warmth, comfort, and contentment that cats bring to our lives.

The Mystery of Cats

As the poem continues, Mayes delves deeper into the mystery of cats:

Our kind mistress wrapped in lace,
Cool now her anger and her grace.

Here, Mayes introduces the idea of the cat as a "kind mistress," a figure who is at once nurturing and aloof. The image of the cat wrapped in lace suggests a certain elegance and refinement, while the reference to the cat's "anger and her grace" hints at the paradoxical nature of feline behavior. Cats can be both loving and fierce, playful and aloof, and Mayes captures this duality in her portrayal of the "kind mistress."

The Beauty of Cats

Throughout "Sister Cat," Mayes employs vivid imagery to convey the beauty and grace of cats. Consider this stanza:

Her eyes are citrine set in gold,
Her breath a frosted filament, old
Dreams twist their shadows in the sun
While pipe and flute in soft accord
Blend with the fragrance of the word,
Jasmine and rose, their notes entwine
In Sister Cat's serene design.

Here, Mayes uses rich, evocative language to paint a picture of the cat's beauty. The image of the cat's eyes as "citrine set in gold" is particularly striking, suggesting a sense of preciousness and value. The reference to the cat's breath as a "frosted filament" is similarly beautiful, conveying a sense of delicacy and fragility. And the final lines of the stanza, with their allusion to music and the entwining of scents, create a sense of harmony and balance that mirrors the cat's own graceful demeanor.

Cats as Symbols

As we read "Sister Cat," it becomes clear that the poem is not just a celebration of cats, but a meditation on the deeper meanings that cats hold for us. Throughout the poem, Mayes uses cats as symbols for various aspects of life and the human experience. Consider these lines:

And so she sleeps, the amber light
Illuminating her wonderous sight,
Until the night in its deep blue dress
Leads her forth in its emptiness
To the silent ivy-twined place
Where her ancestors' bones take up space.

Here, the cat is a symbol for the cycle of life and death. The image of the cat sleeping in the amber light suggests a sense of peace and contentment, while the reference to the night in its "deep blue dress" suggests a sense of mystery and unknown depths. The cat's journey to the "silent ivy-twined place" where her ancestors' bones lie echoes the journey that we all must take, as we confront the mysteries of mortality and the passing of time.

Conclusion

In "Sister Cat," Frances Mayes has created a beautiful and evocative tribute to our feline companions. Through rich imagery and symbolism, Mayes captures the essence of catness, and reminds us of the deep connection that we share with these enigmatic creatures. Whether you are a cat lover or not, "Sister Cat" is a poem that speaks to the soul, and reminds us of the beauty and mystery of life. So the next time you see a cat sleeping in a sunny place, remember the words of Frances Mayes, and take a moment to appreciate the wonderous sight before you.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sister Cat: A Poem of Love and Connection

Frances Mayes' poem "Sister Cat" is a beautiful and touching tribute to the bond between humans and animals. In just a few short stanzas, Mayes captures the essence of the special relationship that can exist between a person and their beloved pet. Through her vivid imagery and heartfelt words, she reminds us of the joy and comfort that our furry friends can bring into our lives.

The Poem

Sister Cat, my sister cat, Soft as fur and sharp as bone. You stare at me with yellow eyes; You've got a backbone of your own.

You move with such precision That I know you're in control. You're a creature of decision, A creature of your soul.

You're a creature of the night, A creature of the day. You're a creature of the shadows, A creature of the sun's bright ray.

You're a creature of the earth, A creature of the sky. You're a creature of the universe, A creature that can fly.

Sister Cat, my sister cat, You're a mystery to me. But I know that you're my sister, And that's all I need to see.

Analysis

The poem begins with the simple but powerful phrase "Sister Cat, my sister cat." This repetition of the word "sister" emphasizes the closeness and connection between the speaker and their cat. The use of the possessive "my" also highlights the personal nature of this relationship.

The next line, "Soft as fur and sharp as bone," is a perfect description of a cat's physical qualities. It also hints at the duality of their nature - they can be both gentle and fierce, depending on the situation.

The third line, "You stare at me with yellow eyes," is a striking image that captures the intensity of a cat's gaze. The color yellow is often associated with wisdom and intuition, which adds to the sense of mystery and depth surrounding the cat.

The fourth line, "You've got a backbone of your own," is a clever play on words. It refers both to the literal backbone of the cat's body and to their strong will and independence. This line sets up the theme of the poem - the idea that cats are creatures with their own unique personalities and spirits.

The second stanza continues this theme, describing the cat as a "creature of decision" and "a creature of your soul." These lines suggest that cats are not just instinctual animals, but beings with their own inner lives and motivations.

The next few lines paint a picture of the cat as a creature of contrasts - they are equally at home in the darkness and the light, the shadows and the sun. This reinforces the idea that cats are adaptable and versatile creatures.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the idea of the cat as the speaker's sister. The line "You're a mystery to me" acknowledges that there is still much about the cat that the speaker doesn't understand, but that doesn't diminish the bond between them. The final line, "And that's all I need to see," is a beautiful expression of unconditional love and acceptance.

Conclusion

"Sister Cat" is a poem that celebrates the unique and special bond between humans and animals. Through her vivid imagery and heartfelt words, Frances Mayes captures the essence of what it means to love and be loved by a pet. The poem reminds us that animals are not just mindless creatures, but beings with their own personalities and spirits. It also highlights the joy and comfort that pets can bring into our lives. Overall, "Sister Cat" is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and connection.

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