IS HE SMILING AT HER?

IS HE SMILING AT HER?

–

Diana’s cat,–in tuxedo–poses in full flash,

Apparently happy being caught…

With her pearls around his neck worn with panache

Like a ruffled Dickey we had bought.

–

Pearls he had played with when Missy put on him

The doubled string at which he was surprised…

If it had been Master who had thus adorned him so,

String of pearls might have vaporized!

–

He was Missy’s Cat, spending whole days with her,

While Master worked keeping home fires burning…

Her little friend named “Tippie” sat on her lap and purred

We had a cat who was very discerning!

–

Diana found the picture–Tippie Cat’s been gone

Two or more years under sod…

Buried him on the edge of land that we used to own,

In woods where he often loved to tread.

–

She has “enough” pictures of this our last cat,

Health needs prevent getting another…

Reminding of his healthy years, our love and all of that–

We’re not likely to adopt another!

–

–Jonathan Caswell

THE CAT LOVERS

THE CAT LOVERS

 

They’ve missed a feline sound

Since Tippie went into the ground…

At the edge of a field,

She revealed

To any who came around.

–

Since soft fur dried their tears,

They’re beginning to count in years…

It’s hard to explain

Why they don’t obtain

Another to give them cheer.

–

When they had the house, strays,

Would appear on occasional days…

They would take them in

And share within,

Whatever they had to raise.

–

Renting an apartment they find

They’re in a different kind…

Where papers come first

Before hearts burst

With compassion for a feline.

–

It doesn’t do good at all

That they are “behind the ball”…

Financially,

And really not free

To answer a stray cat’s call.

–

They talk and talk and talk,

But he has to balk…

At adopting fur,

They’d be better were

They were balanced in their walk.

–

If push comes to shove,

They could VOLUNTEER to love…

But she can’t get out

Easily and about,

It is so expensive to love!

 

–Jonathan Caswell

 

REQUIEM

REQUIEM

 

The vet’s visit was unnecessary,

Our Tippie Cat died last night…

His “Missie” saw him breathing

Before he turned out the light.

–

I found him when I came home,

Transfixed where he had been….

Nosed into our clothes

For a final whiff of when

He learned that we loved him,

Took care of him best we could…

And now I’ve laid him in the ground

On the edge of our old piney wood.

—Rest well, our friend—

–Jonathan Caswell

 

TIPPIE CAT’S NEW ACT

TIPPIE CAT’S NEW ACT

The “Green-eyed Monster Cat”

Has found himself a new act…

‘Tween shoulder and chair

Belly hanging there,

Requires balancing tact.

–

From the back of my wife’s recliner,

He thinks that nothing is finer…

Then to reach across

Thin air to emboss

His claws into his minder.

–

Yes, Tippie wants to be held,

Even if the “punctured” has yelled….

He needs reassurance

Of love’s endurance,

Until uncertainty is quelled.

–

Toward the computer seat behind her  chair,

Is where Tippie hangs in mid-air…

Begging to be taken

And not forsaken,

And cuddled so he knows that we care!

—Jonathan Caswell