The Taming

For you I will be declawed
my teeth I will file down to rounded things,
harmless and dull.
I will be neuter and genderless
with a feminine lean

I will be passive pincushion for you to
stab
stab
stab
and in return I will not scratch
claw
arch and curl
grapple
dig an shriek to the cieling.

I will be soft and rounded
maternal.
I will turn the other cheek
and a blind, unwinking eye.

I will wach the clencing and unclenching
of your artful fingers
but I will not be the clutched
and unclutched.

For you I'll be the belled cat, tamed and harmless.

It's not such a large sacrifice for friendship.