Wait to begin until all three are

in the kitchen,

tails up. Pick up the triangle of bowls and

place them on the counter as though

they were one single unit.

 

Attempt to tear open the packet

and fail — even though the tabs at the top

would suggest otherwise. Instead,

first try cutting

it open with a knife.

It won’t work.

Only then will it be permissible to reach in the drawer

for the scissors.

 

The scissors will be old and

won’t easily cut.

Find the sweet spot,

that small area where the blades

still come together as sharply as they did

when they were new, and cut off

the top of the faux aluminum pouch.

 

Squeeze just enough

into each bowl so that it

divides up perfectly in thirds.

Say, “Here you are, ladies” and

set the little troika back on the floor.

 

All mewing will abruptly

stop as they eat, and

in the silence that follows,

listen for the quiet slap-slap of their tongues as

they hit the glass.

 

Only then may is it possible to

walk away. Ritual completed.