It's Still Life

Part 1: The Old Woman and the Cost of Living Crisis

the cat stares at its empty bowl,
then at the old woman,
then at the shrivelling pile of kibble
she dares to call “dinner.”

“it’s economics,” she sighs.
“everything costs more now—
even regret.”

the cat, unimpressed,
slides a crumpled grocery receipt her way:

explain this.
item #4: tuna, premium – £9.99
item #5: your dignity – priceless

the crow drops a stolen for dummies guide:
chapter 7: your money buys less,
but your cat’s glare stays fixed.

the cat, already shorting tuna futures,
makes a note to buy low—
and scorn eternally.