trimming her claws

though we both hate it

I feel closest to my cat

when she struggles in my arms

and the very claws in question

are splayed and dug into me

and we repeat to each other

what needn’t be said:

“I do not want this”

and when she is over her soreness

and when I am done cleaning

shed fur from my clothing

she comes back to me

accepts my sorries and gentle strokes

and we agree

for the evening at least

to stop hurting each other.