Three short lines, and the whole scene fits inside them: a cat sits somewhere and looks at people walking past. Nothing else happens, and that's what makes it interesting. The poem gives us an ordinary moment and quietly flips it around. Usually we think of ourselves as the ones doing the watching. Here, the cat is the observer, and "us" are the ones being seen.
The speaker doesn't say how they feel outright, but the word "us" suggests someone walking with others, noticing the cat's gaze and feeling a little aware of it. There's a hint of amusement, maybe a touch of unease. Cats can seem calm and unbothered, as if they're judging passersby without needing to move.
The mood is still and calm, with a small spark of curiosity. The short lines slow the poem down, almost like the cat's own patient stare. We pass by, and the cat stays put, which makes it feel oddly in charge of the moment.