Elizabeth Cavanaugh is a former
City Animal Commissioner, who
writes about Culture and
Community, Wildlife and the
Environment and, of course,
CATS.
She crafts her stories in both
English and French, with help
from a few fervent felines.
OF THE VERDUGOS
By Elizabeth Cavanaugh
Solitary silhouette
Enveloped
In scruffy silk
Scent of earth
Sleeps by day
His dreams
Bump the horizon
Humbling oaks
Shelter a parched
Rumbling throat
Thirsting
For the tinge and tingle
Of a someday stream
Cool
Claws sharpened by
Granite blocks
Descend
Stealth steps
Paws pad
In starlight
Over asphalt
Skillful dodging
On Freeway 210
Lane by lane
Eyes aglow
Like high beams
Solitary silhouette
Alert jokester
Catching salvation
Amid sun-dried
Sycamores
Fallen, scattered
Lizard tails
Salamanders rising
From ash and flame
Taunt and beckon
Pause and play
To amuse one soulful
Sand-colored
Valley traveler
Solo male puma
To whom all Urban Angels
Softly whisper
“Thrive P-41, thrive.”
The Stone Bird stories by Elizabeth …
“Of the Verdugos” ...poem
“Your Soul Spoke to Me” ...poem
“The Bicycle Shop” ...short story
The Los Angeles Times, May 6, 2017
“Soul Mates on Separate Ways” - L.A. Affairs Column
The Quarterly Magazine, Summer 2017
“The Bunny Days of Summer: Cool Places to Spot Rabbits”