Milk

"That blanket's never going to give you milk,"
I tell the cat crossly,
watching him try to nurse.
I don't know why I'm angry
with the cat
except for the utter futility
of trying to get what you need
years too late
from something that bears
only the slightest resemblance
to a real mother
but you'd rather
suck a blanket
than know you'll never get 
the milk you need.