Her ears, lightly fringed with white that looked silver, lifted and moved, back, forward, listening and sensing. Her face turned, slightly, after each new sensation, alert. Her tail moved, in another dimension, as if its tip was catching messages her other organs could not. She sat poised, air - light, looking, hearing, feeling, smelling, breathing, with all of her, fur, whiskers, ears - - everything, in delicate vibration.

Her ears, lightly fringed with white that looked silver, lifted and moved, back, forward, listening and sensing. Her face turned, slightly, after each new sensation, alert. Her tail moved, in another dimension, as if its tip was catching messages her other organs could not. She sat poised, air - light, looking, hearing, feeling, smelling, breathing, with all of her, fur, whiskers, ears - - everything, in delicate vibration.

📖 Doris Lessing

🌍 English  |  👨‍💼 Writer

🎂 October 22, 1919  –  ⚰️ November 17, 2013
(0 Reviews)

This excerpt beautifully captures the heightened sensory awareness of a cat, emphasizing its delicate yet sharp perception of the world around it. The description evokes a sense of grace and alertness, highlighting how the feline's entire being—ears, face, tail, fur—works in harmony to absorb and interpret its environment. The imagery of the ears lifting and moving, coupled with the mention of the tail as if it communicates in another dimension, conveys a profound sensitivity that goes beyond mere observation; it symbolizes an almost mystical attunement to subtle signals and energies. The phrase 'in delicate vibration' encapsulates the idea that the cat exists in a state of constant perceptual readiness, poised between stillness and alertness. The depiction resonates with a broader theme of mindfulness and attentiveness, illustrating how creatures that are so often seen as independent and aloof are, in fact, intensely connected to their surroundings. It invites the reader to reflect on the extraordinary capabilities of animals to sense and feel information that humans might overlook, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the intricate ways living beings perceive their world. This portrayal also reflects on the beauty of nature’s harmony, where every movement and sensation is part of a delicate dance of awareness and response, reminding us to be present and observant in our own lives.

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