The Rocking-Chair Blanket

It arrived cleaned and pristine,
But the cats climbed over it
And spent sunny hours on it.

Sometimes it slipped to the floor.
Some days it lay on the floor.
It got dusty and smelly

But was still the best blanket
For sitting in the rocker
Wrapped in illness, aches, and chills.

Animals self-regulate
As part of life’s maintenance.
Self-regulation evolved

Its encouraging rewards,
Just like sex and appetite.
Maintaining temperature

Brings the reward of comfort,
And, for a broken body,
The blanket served the purpose.

Outside, the world was the world,
Rocky cliffs past the window.
Inside, some comfort survived.