喵德經 (妙德經) 第一章
可呼之喵，非恆喵。可名之尾，非真尾。靜則鼠生，動則毛明。窺，嗅，蜷。無逐，唯存。
Chapter 1 Miao De Ching
the dao that purrs is not the forever purr
the name you give it is not its tail
in stillness, mice appear
in motion, fur shines
peek, sniff, curl up
don’t chase. Just be
喵德經 第二章
貓皆知玩美，則拙見。 皆知眠善，則躁生。 故爪與靜相逐， 難躍與易躍相成。 長尾與短尾相對， 高籬與低籬相傾。 喵與呼相和， 獵與眠相隨。 是以聖喵： 無為而萬戲自成， 不言而群貓自教。 鼠行而弗逐， 暖生而弗有。 躍而弗矜， 得而弗藏。 唯不居， 故爪痕不滅。
Chapter 2 Miao De Ching
when kittens call one toy pretty
another looks dull
when one nap feels good
another feels not-good
so:
scratching and stillness chase each other
hard jumps and easy jumps balance
long tails and short tails compare
tall fences and low fences tilt
purr and meow mix
hunt and nap follow
thus the Wise Cat :
does nothing yet everything plays
shows without teaching
lets mice scurry—does not claim them
loves warmth—does not own it
leaps—does not boast
catches—yet does not keep
because she does not cling
her pawprints never fade
喵德經 第三章
不尊巨公，則群貓不爭。 不貴纏絲，則爪不盜。 不示鮮魚，則鬚不亂。 是以聖喵： 虛其首，實其腹； 弱其志，利其爪。 常使群貓無知無欲， 使巧者不敢為。 無為而治， 宅自安然。
Chapter 3 Miao De Ching
do not crown the biggest tomcat
then kittens will not claw each other
do not dangle shiny yarn
then paws will not steal
do not flaunt fish
then whiskers will not twitch with frenzy
so the Wise Cat:
empties the head, fills the belly
softens the will, sharpens the claws
lets the litter stay simple, dreamless
so no sly cat schemes too deep
she does by not-doing
and the house stays purrfectly still
喵德經 第四章
喵沖，而用之不盈。 深兮，若萬鬚之母。 挫其爪，解其縷， 和其光，同其塵。 湛兮，若存。 吾不知誰之子， 若先帝之前。
Chapter 4 Miao De Ching
the dao is hollow as a bowl
yet never spills, never fills
so deep—like the mother of every whisker and tail
it blunts claws grown too sharp
loosens tangled yarn
dims bright eyes to twilight glow
settles into dust, soft as fur in shadow
so still—
as if always there, before any purr began
whose kitten it is, I cannot tell
older than gods, yet curled within them
喵德經 第五章
天地不慈，視群生如草鼠； 聖喵亦不私，觀眾毛與羽，皆影於目。 天地之間，若橐籥然； 虛而不竭，動而愈出。 言多則喵亂，逐影則足疲； 不若守中，潛身卷尾，無故而呼。
Chapter 5 Miao De Ching
Heaven and Earth are not kind
they see all creatures as passing mice
the Wise Cat too is not sentimental
she watches kittens and sparrows alike
both are shadows in her gaze
between sky and soil —
a hollow, like a bellows
empty yet never spent
the more it moves
the more breath flows out
too many meows-words
too much chasing —
soon paws stumble
better to sit in stillness
to purr without reason
喵德經 第六章
谷神不死，是謂玄牝。 綿綿若存，用之不勤。 晨呼暮吸，陰陽相生； 柔毛護脊，暖腹含乳。 靜而不爭，遊於無形； 伸爪不傷，伏於暗影； 長久存焉，眾喵之母。
Chapter 6 Miao De Ching
the eternal catnip spirit never fades
her nest is the root of sky and fur
unseen whisker mother,
her gate is the well of moonlight milk
softly she lingers
never ending, forever mewing
喵德經 第七章
天長地久， 喵以不爭為高。 居高而不驕，伏深而不懼， 故能久存。 爪隱而柔，尾卷而藏； 萬喵仰之而不困， 而自得其樂。 靜守而不言， 行藏無跡， 是以長久不朽。
Chapter 7 Miao De Ching
sky stretches, tail without tip
earth endures, paws without count
why do they last so long?
because they do not live for themselves
so the Wise Cat curls quietly,
placing others before her own bowl
yet her dish never empties
and her nap never ends
喵德經 第八章
上善若水， 喵善若陰。 水善利萬物而不爭， 喵善遊於幽而不擾。 居低而自安，伏影而自樂， 萬喵得之而心悅。 柔毛無骨，尾長而隨， 行藏無聲而自得。 是以喵之道，常利而不爭， 長久存焉而無累。
Chapter 8 Miao De Ching
the highest good is like milk
milk nourishes all creatures, yet never claws for itself
it rests where others neglect
therefore it flows close to dao
a home — like a saucer of milk, set in the right place
a heart — like the love of milk, deep and calm
a friend — like the milk-giver, gentle and kind
a miew — like the call for milk, clear and true
a leader — like the wise milk-taster, guiding without claw
a craft — like the art of milk-drinking, fitting the task
a step — like not into the saucer, moving with good reason
because there is no fight in drinking
milk — the Cat of Dao accepts
poured without blame
喵德經 第九章
滿而盈之，不如已。 鋭而爪之，不可久守。 金玉滿巢，莫能守； 驕喵自引其咎。 功畢而退， 洗鬚於陰， 天之喵道也。
Chapter 9 Miao De Ching
the bowl filled too full
will surely spill
claws honed too sharp
will surely break
a nest overflowing with shiny things
draws every thief in the dark
a cat who puffs up with pride
invites a tail-pull
when the hunt is done, retreat to quiet shade
when the fish is eaten, wash your whiskers clean
this is the ancient way
the way of sky and sun
Chapter 9 Miao De Ching — Haiku
know when to stop, cat—
the bowl spills past its brim, and
claws break when too sharp
喵德經 第十章
載魂與影，抱一而無離乎？ 專息致柔，能若初喵乎？ 滌目之鏡，能無塵乎？ 治窩愛眾，能無為乎？ 天戶啟闔，能為雌乎？ 明達四隅，能無知乎？ 生而養之， 捕而不有， 戲而不恃， 長而不宰。 是謂玄喵德。
Chapter 10 Miao De Ching
can you hold your spirit and your shadow as one
and never let them part?
can you soften your breath to a silent purr
until you are like a newborn kitten?
can you clean the inner mirror of your eyes
until no dust of desire remains?
can you rule the great house of your territory
by doing nothing at all?
can you wait at the door where all things come and go
and be the one who receives, not the one who grabs?
can your mind reach to the four corners of the yard
and yet need to know nothing?
you give life to the hunt
you nurture the play
you pounce, but do not claim the prize
you lead, but do not command the pride
you grow, but do not dominate the sunbeam
this is the Deepest Purr
This is the De — the Virtue of the Way
喵德經 第十一章
三十鬚，共一吻，當其中虛，乃能嗅。 貓爪埏土，以成窩，當其中虛，乃能暖。 利爪鑿叢，以成穴，當其中靜，乃能居。 故有者，以為形；無者，以為用。 碗之用，在其中空。 躍之力，在未躍間。 鼠之賜，不在其肉，而在其獵。
Chapter 11 Miao De Ching
thirty whiskers frame a single muzzle
but it is the void between them that holds the scent
paws knead soft earth into a hollow
but it is the empty space that holds the warmth
claws carve out a den in the thicket
but it is the stillness within that offers shelter
therefore, what is provides the form
but what is not provides the use
the bowl's use is in its emptiness
the leap's power is in the pause before
the true gift of the caught mouse is not the meat, but the hunt
喵德經 第十二章
紅點繁多，使獵目盲； 鈴聲叮噹，使聽耳聾； 珍餚過盛，使口失味。 逐葉無窮，使心狂亂； 奇玩難得，使貓忘暉。 是以慧貓養腹不養目， 取暖地而棄瑩飾。 知養而不知飾， 知實而不知華， 知靜而不知逐。
Chapter 12 Miao De Ching
too many flashing red dots blind the hunter's eye
too many jingling bells deafen the listening ear
too many rich treats spoil the taste for simple meat
the endless chase after every rustling leaf
drives the heart into a frantic frenzy
the rarest, shiniest toy
makes a cat forget the simple joy of a sunbeam
therefore, the Wise Cat
fills her belly, not her gaze
she chooses the warm floor over the sparkling trinket
she knows:
nourishment, not sensation
substance, not shimmer
the Stillness, not the Chase
喵德經 第十三章
寵辱皆驚，身患若大。 何謂寵辱皆驚？ 寵乃下撫，得之則懼，失之則懼， 是謂寵辱皆驚。 何謂身患若大？ 吾所以有患者，以吾有身。 及吾無身，吾復何患？ 故： 貴身若天下，天下可寄； 愛鬚若天下，天下可托。
Chapter 13 Miao De Ching
favor and scorn are both traps that startle the spirit
clinging to your self is the source of all great fear
what does it mean, «favor and scorn are both traps»?
favor is a condescending pat
to receive it is to be anxious. to lose it is to panic
this is how favor and scorn both shock the heart
what does it mean, «clinging to your self is the source of all great fear»?
the reason I have fear
is because I have a «self» to protect
if I had no «self,» what fear could I have?
therefore:
she who values the world as she values her own pelt—
to her, the world can be entrusted
she who loves the world as she loves her own whiskers—
to her, the world can be delivered
喵德經 第十四章
視之不見，名曰無色； 聽之不聞，名曰無聲； 搏之不得，名曰無形。 此三者，同為一貓，玄不可詰。 上不明，下不晦； 綿綿若絲，不可名，復歸於無。 是謂無狀之狀，無物之象， 是謂恍惚。 迎之不見其吻， 隨之不見其尾。 執古之道，以御今之有； 能知始原，是謂道緒。
Chapter 14 Miao De Ching
o, kitten, look for it—it has no color. Call it The Invisible
listen for it—it makes no sound. Call it The Silent
reach for it—it has no form. Call it The Intangible
these three are one thing for cats, a mystery beyond questioning
it is not light above, not shadow below
it is an unspooling thread of yarn that cannot be named
returning always to nothingness
this is the shape without a shape
the image without an object.
this is The Elusive
meet it—you will not see its muzzle
follow it—you will not see its tail
yet, hold to this ancient Way
to steer the affairs of this present day
to know this primal beginning
is to grasp the thread of the dao yarn
喵德經 第十五章
古之善為貓者，微妙玄通，深不可識。 夫唯不可識，故彷彿其容： 豫兮若履冬冰； 猶兮若畏犬影； 儼兮若客入舍； 渙兮若冰方釋； 敦兮若樸未雕； 曠兮若樹之穴； 混兮若水之濁。 孰能濁而徐清？ 孰能安而徐動？ 保此道者，不欲盈； 唯不盈，故能蔽而新成。
Chapter 15 Miao De Ching
the ancient Cats-masters, deep in the Way
were too subtle for common understanding
because they cannot be described
we can only hint at their nature :
cautious, as if crossing thin winter ice
hesitant, as if sensing a dog in every shadow
respectful, like a guest in a strange house
yielding, like ice beginning to thaw
simple, like an un-carved block of wood
open, like a hollow in a great tree
mysterious, like murky water
who can be still, letting the murk settle to clarity?
who can be calm, stirring to action only when needed?
those who hold this dao do not seek to be full
and because they are not full
they are ever-renewed
ever-complete
喵德經 第十六章
致虛極，守靜篤。 萬物躍作，吾以觀歸。 夫物芸芸，各復其巢。 歸巢曰靜，靜曰復命。 復命曰常，知常曰明。 不知常，逐尾自狂。 知常則容，容乃公； 公乃貓王，王乃天； 天乃道，道乃久。 爪雖朽，毛雖衰， 道之綸，長若貓繩。
Chapter 16 Miao De Ching
empty your bowl, Cat—
let no chatter rattle the fur
all things leap, and all things fade
yet always return home
home is stillness
always the soft pad of paws on quiet earth
to know the cycle—the flow—is wisdom
ignorance chases its own tail
open whiskers, open heart
from this full openness you prowl nobly
from nobility to mystery
from mystery to the Way of Cats
and though claws age and fur grays
the Yarn of Dao spins eternal
道德經 第十七章
太上，下知有之； 其次，親而譽之； 其次畏之； 其次侮之。 信不足焉，有不信焉。 悠兮其貴言，功成事遂，百姓皆謂我自然
Chapter 17 Miao De Ching
the best Leader Cat is one you hardly notice—
her paws leave no sound
her whiskers stir no air
next is the Leader Cat you love and praise
next the Leader Cat you fear
and the worst is the Leader Cat you scorn
if trust is missing
no tail will follow
no kitten will curl near
the Wise Cat rules by stillness
she does not boast, does not claw for show
and when the nest is warm, the food shared
all cats purr together:
“we did it ourselves”
道德經 第十八章
大道廢，有仁義； 智慧出，有大偽； 六親不和，有孝慈； 國家昏亂，有忠臣。
Chapter 18 Miao De Ching
when cats forget the Great Purr-Way
they invent kindness and rules
when clever claws scheme too much
pretend-purrs and fake whiskers appear
when kittens stop curling close
out come big shows of mews and licks
when the clan-den falls to chaos
Chief Cats shout of loyalty
but the true Dao of Cats needs none of this—
for when the Great Purr is alive
all tails sway in harmony
and no one needs to say a mew
道德經 第十九章
絕聖棄智，民利百倍。 絕仁棄義，民復孝慈。 絕巧棄利，盜賊無有。 此三者，以為文不足， 故令有所屬： 見素抱樸，少私寡欲。
Chapter 19 Miao De Ching
cast off holy whiskers, drop clever claws—
Cats will thrive a hundredfold
cast off meows of duty and rigid rules—
kittens will find true kindness and play
cast off tricky paws and greedy hunts—
no thieves sneak into the den
these three alone are not enough
so the Wise Cat teaches this :
see with simple eyes
curl in plain fur
fewer hungers, lighter wants—
and the den rests in peace
道德經 第二十章
唯之與阿，相去幾何？善之與惡，相去若何？ 人之所畏，不可不畏。 荒兮，其未央哉！ 衆人熙熙，如享太牢，如春登臺。 我獨泊兮，其未兆； 如嬰兒之未孩； 儽儽兮若無所歸。 衆人皆有餘，而我獨若遺。 我愚人之心也哉，沌沌兮！ 俗人昭昭，我獨昏昏； 俗人察察，我獨悶悶。 澹兮其若海，飂兮若無止。 衆人皆有以，而我獨頑且鄙。 我獨異於人，而貴食母。
Chapter 20 Miao De Ching
forget heavy learning, drop “yes” and “no”—
then a Cat will find her heart untroubled
what is the gap between purring good and hissing bad?
between “this I like” and “that I hate”?
Cats fear what others fear
yet the world of Cats stretches vast, endless as night
all Cats seem merry—
feasting on fine fish, basking on high walls in spring sun
but I, the quiet Cat, drift alone
like a kitten not yet opened her eyes,
like a wanderer with no den to claim
while others stash plenty
I seem as if left behind
while successful Cats are sharp and sure
I remain simple, pawing in mist
others glow bright
I alone am shadow
others are clever
I alone am still and puzzled
I am calm as the wide sea
gentle as the wandering breeze
while all Cats cling to purpose and gain
I curl different—
and treasure the Mother of all Purrs
道德經 第二十一章
道之为物惟恍惟惚。 惚兮恍兮，其中有象。 恍兮惚兮，其中有物。 窈兮冥兮，其中有精。 其精甚真，其中有信。 自古及今，其名不去， 以阅众甫。 吾何以知众甫之状哉？ 以此。
Chapter 21 Miao De Ching
the Way of Cats is shadowy yet bright
a pawprint hidden, yet full of form
misty it seems, yet whiskers sense it—
within is the Purr of all Things
silent it rests, yet alive
its essence true
its promise certain
since the first Kitten chased the first flicker
this Dao has never left
through it, all paws are guided
how do I, a lone Cat
know the ancient den of all beginnings?
by this :
the whisper of fur against air
the ripple of tail through stillness
the eternal glimmer in a Cat’s eyes
道德經 第二十二章
曲則全，枉則直，窪則盈，敝則新，少則得，多則惑。 是以聖人抱一為天下式。 不自見故明，不自是故彰，不自伐故有功，不自矜故長。 夫唯不爭，故天下莫能與之爭。 古之所謂曲則全者，豈虛言哉！誠全而歸之。
Chapter 22 Miao De Ching
the Cat who bends her paw
keeps it whole and unbroken
the Cat who crouches low
leaps higher in her time
the Cat who loosens her tail
fills again with grace and swish
the Cat who’s worn and torn
returns with shining new fur
the Cat with less—
is free to gain
the Cat with more—
is tangled, lost in fuss
thus the Wise Cat holds to One
and becomes a pattern for the den
she does not boast—so she shines
she does not demand—so she’s seen
she does not claw—so her paws have power
she does not strut—so her whiskers grow long
because she does not fight
no Cat in the den can fight her
long ago the Cats said :
“to bend is to be whole”
was this only a meow of air?
no—truly, it is whole,
and all paths return to it
道德經 第二十三章
希言自然。 故飄風不終朝，驟雨不終日。 孰為此者？天地。 天地尚不能久，而況於人乎？ 故從事於道者，同於道。 德者，同於德。 失者，同於失。 同於道者，道亦樂得之。 同於德者，德亦樂得之。 同於失者，失亦樂得之。 信不足焉，有不信焉。
Chapter 23 Miao De Ching
few meows flow most natural
storm winds never last all morning
wild rains never fill the whole day
who commands this?
Heaven and Earth
even they cannot hold on forever—
how then could Cats?
thus, those who pounce with Dao
rest with Dao
those who curl in De
rest with De
those who stray in loss
rest with loss
Cats in tune with Dao—
Dao purrs with them
Cats in tune with De—
De purrs with them
Cats in tune with loss—
loss curls around them too
where trust runs thin
mistrust soon prowls
道德經 第二十四章
跂者不立，跨者不行。 自見者不明，自是者不彰。 自伐者無功，自矜者不長。 其在道也，曰：餘食贅行。 物或惡之，故有道者不處。
Chapter 24 Miao De Ching
Cats who stand on tiptoe soon wobble
Cats who leap too far lose their balance
the Cat who shows herself off
sees nothing truly
the Cat who insists she is right
dims her own light
the Cat who brags of her claws
earns no prey
the Cat who struts with pride
does not last long
in Dao, this is called
“leftover food, wasted motion”
all Cats dislike it—
so the Dao-Cat does not dwell there
道德經 第二十五章
有物混成，先天地生。 寂兮寥兮，獨立而不改， 周行而不殆，可以為天下母。 吾不知其名，字之曰道， 強為之名曰大。 大曰逝，逝曰遠，遠曰反。 故道大，天大，地大，人亦大。 域中有四大，而人居其一焉。 人法地，地法天，天法道，道法自然。
Chapter 25 Miao De Ching
there is a Great Cat-Mystery—
older than sky, older than earth
silent, vast, alone
unchanging
wandering through all dens
never tiring
She may be called
the Mother of All Cats
i do not know her true name—
so I call her Dao
If pressed, I call her Great
Great flows far
far flows beyond
beyond returns again
so Dao is Great
Sky is Great
Earth is Great
and Cats are also Great
in the Four Greats within the world
Cats find their place
Cats follow the Earth
Earth follows the Sky
Sky follows the Dao
and Dao follows its own Nature
道德經 第二十六章
重為輕根，靜為躁君。 是以聖人終日行不離輜重。 雖有榮觀，燕處超然。 奈何萬乘之主，而以身輕天下？ 輕則失本，躁則失君。
Chapter 26 Miao De Ching
weight is root of lightness
calm is ruler of haste
so the Wise Cat walks all day
yet never leaves her steady paws
though the palace shines with toys
she rests aloof upon the roof
how could a King of many mice
make his own fur lighter than the world?
lose weight — and roots are gone
rush — and the ruler is lost
道德經 第二十七章
善行，無轍迹； 善言，無瑕謫； 善數，不用籌策； 善閉，無關楗而不可開； 善結，無繩約而不可解。 是以聖人常善救人， 故無棄人； 常善救物， 故無棄物。 是謂襲明。 故善人者，不善人之師； 不善人者，善人之資。 不貴其師， 不愛其資， 雖智大迷，是謂要妙。
Chapter 27 Miao De Ching
the perfect paw leaves no scratch upon the ground
the perfect meow has no crack in the sound
the perfect count is done without claws or beads
the perfect door is shut without a latch
yet no wind can push it open
the perfect knot is tied without a string
yet no teeth can bite it loose
so the Wise Cat always rescues the strays
and never abandons a single whisker
she saves the world of things
and nothing is left outside her care
this is called following the hidden light
thus:
the good cat is the teacher of the rough cat
the rough cat is the treasure of the good cat
if the teacher is not respected
if the treasure is not cherished
then even wisdom will stumble in blindness
this is the secret key of the Dao of Cats
道德經 第二十八章
知其雄，守其雌，為天下谿。 為天下谿，常德不離，復歸於嬰兒。 知其白，守其黑，為天下式。 為天下式，常德不忒，復歸於無極。 知其榮，守其辱，為天下谷。 為天下谷，常德乃足，復歸於樸。 樸散則為器，聖人用之，則為官長。 故大制無割。
Chapter 28 Miao De Ching
the Cat who knows her claws, yet guards her belly soft
becomes the valley of the world
as the valley holds the waters
so she keeps her Dao unbroken
and returns to the kitten’s heart
the Cat who knows her whiteness, yet keeps her shadow black
becomes the model of the world
as the pattern never strays
so her Dao remains complete
and she returns to the boundless night
the Cat who knows her honor, yet accepts her shame
becomes the valley of all
as the valley gathers plenty
so her Dao is full
and she returns to the uncarved block
when the block is split, it becomes useful tools
when the Sage Cat uses it, she guides the pride
thus the greatest carving
leaves no wound at all
道德經 第二十九章
將欲取天下而為之， 吾見其不得已。 天下神器， 不可為也，不可執也。 為者敗之，執者失之。 故物或行或隨， 或歔或吹， 或強或羸， 或培或隳。 是以聖人去甚， 去奢， 去泰。
Chapter 29 Miao De Ching
if you try to grab the whole World
and force it into your paws –
it will slip away
the World is a sacred Toy
not to be broken
not to be clutched
to push – is to shatter
to cling – is to lose
so sometimes paws march, sometimes they follow
sometimes they hiss, sometimes they purr
sometimes they leap strong, sometimes they curl weak
sometimes they build, sometimes they scatter
that is why the Wise Cat
leaves behind the “too much”
walks away from the “too shiny”
and paws no longer at “too high”
道德經 第三十章
以道佐人主者，不以兵強天下。 其事好還。 師之所處，荊棘生焉。 大軍之後，必有凶年。 善者果而已，不以取強。 果而勿矜， 果而勿伐， 果而勿驕， 果而不得已， 果而勿強。 物壯則老， 是謂不道， 不道早已。
Chapter 30 Miao De Ching
the Cat who walks with Dao
does not sharpen claws to rule the world
because fights always bounce back
where armies sleep, thorns grow
where soldiers pass, hunger follows
the good Cat finishes what must be done
but does not scratch to show off
she leaps, but without pride
she wins, but without boasting
she pounces, only if there’s no other choice
she never forces her paw
for what grows too fierce, soon withers
that is against Dao
and what goes against Dao
ends quickly
道德經 第三十一章
夫佳兵者，不祥之器，物或惡之，故有道者不處。 君子居則貴左，用兵則貴右。 兵者，不祥之器，非君子之器，不得已而用之。 恬淡為上，勝而不美，而美之者，是樂殺人。 夫樂殺人者，不可以得志於天下矣。 故吉事尚左，凶事尚右。 是以偏將軍居左，上將軍居右，言以喪禮處之。 殺人之眾，以哀悲泣之，戰勝以喪禮處之。
Chapter 31 Miao De Ching
sharp claws and fangs
are unlucky tools
most creatures fear them
so the Cat of Dao does not rest upon them
when sitting in peace
the noble Cat curls left
when forced to fight
she turns to the right
claws are not the tools of the true Cat
only when there is no escape
the paw strikes
best is calmness
best is quiet fur
to boast of victory is to purr for blood
and the Cat who purrs for blood
cannot rule the world
so in good times, the Cat favors the left
in bad times, she sits to the right
like in mourning
for every life taken
the whiskers bow in sorrow
and if victory comes
the Cat keeps it with funeral silence
道德經 第三十二章
道常無名。 樸雖小，天下不敢臣。 侯王若能守之，萬物將自賓。 天地相合，以降甘露，民莫之令而自均。 始制有名，名亦既有，夫亦將知止。 知止可以不殆。 譬道之在天下，猶川谷之與江海。
Chapter 32 Miao De Ching
the Way of Cats has no name
soft fur, uncarved and plain
yet no creature dares to make it servant
if Cat-Kings would guard this fur
all mice and birds would gather by themselves
when sky and earth purr together
gentle dew falls—
without command, it spreads evenly
once names appear—
“this tail,” “that paw,” “this whisker”—
then limits also appear
but to know when to stop
keeps Cat from danger
so the Dao among Cats
is like rivers and streams
all flowing down
into the vast Ocean of Purr