Inside my box I’m fed and fine,
still, my state’s reduced to probability,
between the grave and miau.
The random ticking measures
— ever carefully —
the prickly moments of remaining life;
while cunning canisters (still closed)
are lurking in my box,
containing noxious fumes of death to come.
Erwin, Erwin, why did you put me here?
I was you faithful friend (cause you fed me well)
until you used (I say abused) me for a thought,
a thought experiment you say,
but still I always purred,
now to the outside world — reduced,
to probability
between the grave and miaou.
Cat in a box from Wikimedia Commons
Kerry inspire us on toads to write from the Point of View from a famous’ persons animal at Real Toads. There is no animal I feel more sympathy for than Shrödinger’s cat. So I have written a small feline testimonial here.
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October 8, 2014
Björn Rudbergs writings 
What a completely asinine experiment. I hate stuff like that, scientists or their ilk doing awful stuff or putting animals in awful situations, just to pose an abstract question or to “prove” something that is already obvious. I think it’s arrogant, heartless and evil.
I think in this case it was a thought experiment .. no real cat was hurt… 🙂
I hope so, Bjorn. Your link says ” Although the original “experiment” was imaginary, similar principles have been researched and used in practical applications.” That leaves me wondering what similar means, exactly. I never underestimate the ability of scientists to be idiots.
This is so clever, Bjorn! Your choice of Shrodinger’s cat is impeccable, and how noble that you enable us to hear the thoughts of the thought cat.
The narrative voice carries the bemused poignancy of a trusting pet (as I might imagine it) and makes a very real point about experimentation: everything has its limits of probability.
Even the thought of existing in a state between life and death is a horrific claustrophobia of being unknown.
I would wonder the same if I were that cat! Too bad. I have never read the Schrödinger’s Cat series. I believe I won’t now. Thank you, Bjorn.
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How appropriate that a thought-up cat speak such probable truth. So tragic. I wonder when the purring stopped!
what an intriguing play on schroedingers cat…ugh…i would not want to be it…and i bet animal rights activist would throw a fit…killing for the sake of science?
This is brilliant, Bjorn, from title to closing lines…..
A very adroit experiment in itself, this poem–between reality and imagination. You manage to make a scientific exposition seem ominous and frightening here–the cunning canisters, closed but poised at some unknown moment perhaps to NOT be–in particular are chilling.
SO sad. I think it’s excellent that you gave one of these kitties a voice bringing this topic into the awareness of some who might not know about these horrible experiments. You captured this well, Bjorn.
…but still I always purred (so sad!) I followed the link and I think some experiments with actual cats were carried out – if I read it correctly. Ugh.
You’ve made me cry… at 12:41 am… but that’s okay…
I think maybe you should have put in more of a process note! I think this is a rather funny poem, but I think people get easily touched by the idea of a cat in a box. It is very clever, but perhaps you should have let the cat out of the bag! k.