Ribbon And Bell

Ribbon on the ground
and a bell on the ribbon.
One of my pets will chase it
if I pull it, leave it on the floor
waiting for me to pull it again

if I stop.  The other
will chase it too, but if I leave it
she’ll steal it and hide it
and I’ll hear it later when she pulls it

herself.  One old, patient cat;
one young, impetuous ferret.
One who trusts in the future
and in me; one who trusts

me in the moment and handles
the future for herself. I”m so reliable
that I pull the ribbon and the bell
whenever either one’s around.

But I try to remember
to pick it up when I’m done.
Coddle age and patience,
thwart youth and skill —

she’ll never remember it anyway
the next time I pull it for her.
She’ll just chase it around,
waiting to see how long it takes

before memory fails me, and she takes over.