Suddenly –

A twitch, a spark in those eyes.

Muscles coil, ready to spring.

Whoosh!

A blur of fur launches across the room,

Ricocheting off walls, skidding on floors.

Paws barely touch ground,

A whirlwind of joy incarnate,

Defying gravity, logic, and all attempts at calm.

Round and round,

A tornado of tail and tongue.

Furniture becomes obstacle course,

Conquered in leaps and bounds,

As if the floor is lava, and stillness, death.

Eyes wild, ears pinned back,

This ball of energy careens,

Fueled by an invisible force of glee.

Minutes of mayhem,

A lightning storm of elation,

Then –

Collapse.

Panting, grinning, spent.