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A Tiny Tabby
Beside our garden’s scalloped fence,
where English Ivy’s vines are dense,
we viewed an unexpected sight;
a mini tiger, gold and white!
This morning’s new, bewildered guest,
abandoned here and quite distressed,
kept yowling panic-stricken sounds,
surveying unfamiliar grounds.
“Investigate!” demanded they
who’ve never had to hunt for prey
(because inside, our “Cat Café”
provides a well-supplied buffet).
I warmed some chicken casserole
with peas inside a shallow bowl
since meat aromas volunteer
that hungry strays are welcome here …
Upon approach, I realized
fear rendered kitty paralyzed.
The cat’s dilated pupils’ size,
almost erasing hazel eyes,
and lowered ears and trembling back
implored, “I’m frightened! Don’t attack!”
To demonstrate I meant no harm,
before extending either arm
I slowly blinked and drooped my eyes,
a standard gesture which implies
a peaceful, friendly attitude
I reinforced with gifts of food
whose appetizing smell conveyed,
“Come eat! No need to feel afraid!”
“Meow!” the pleading pauper spoke;
appearing cute, his masterstroke.
And, yes, the large repast supplied
soon cast instinctive fears aside:
Within a flash, I saw him dash
towards my culinary cache.
Uninterrupted, kitty fed,
his rhythmic chewing bobbed his head.
As kitty’s inhibitions waned,
his faith and trust I quickly gained.
The pussycat began to purr,
permitting me to pet his fur!
Beside the kitten’s ringlet tail
were pelvic bones, pronounced and frail.
The stray’s emaciated frame
divulged starvation bears the blame.
His tongue (an agile, swift machine),
had licked the bowl completely clean.
Demanding yet another treat,
he placed his paws beneath my feet
to sabotage my planned retreat.
Conceding absolute defeat,
I led this cat towards our house
secured by one awaiting spouse …
“Oh, no! You don’t!” My husband roared.
“We have enough!” He underscored.
But, unaware of being snubbed,
against our calves this kitten rubbed
and slowly rubbed again before
he dropped and rolled around the floor,
exposing folded-over paws,
the snowy-white my spouse adores!
I’m sure by now you can foresee
the guilty party (namely me)
appears devoid of any shame;
instead, I’ll simply just proclaim,
“A tiny tabby, forced to roam,
arrived today … and found his home.”
previously published in Rundelania
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E. V. “Beth” Wyler is a poet and writer whose poetry has appeared in The Eclectic Muse: A Poetry Journal, Feelings of the Heart, Nuthouse Magazine, The Pink Chameleon, The Poet’s Haven, The Rotary Dial, The Society of Classical Poets Journal, The Storyteller, Vox Poetica, WestWard Quarterly, and on the website of USA Patriotism!
Ah, EV, you total mug: dogs have masters and cats have slaves! I am a cat person myself, and am completely enchanted by them!!! Well done!
Thank you. Somewhere I saw a saying about how dogs teach us how to raise children, but cats teach us how to raise teenagers! So true!
Thank you for saving the kitty!
We have a full house! Thank you for reading it.
A charming poem with a happy ending.
Thank you. The world needs more happy endings.
Precious poem told beautifully for the one who adopted you.
Thank you. Yes, the cats claim their humans. My husband, Richard, refers to our home as the cats’ house … we just pay the bills for them.
Have two ‘adopted’ like this, beautiful pets.
Cats are ideal pets. They are very cuddly and sensitive to their humans’ feelings and emotions.
This is the sweetest cat poem I’ve read in a long time. As the manager of a cat-house myself, I can relate to every sentiment expressed here. The rhythm is unhindered and flows like a river. I love the varying rhyme scheme and, not to mention, the very buoyancy of this piece. The story proceeds very smoothly, and I really love the language—it’s light, natural, and captivating. Well, in regards to oppositions, yes, I face too many with the same utterance from everyone: “We have enough!” But I don’t pay any heed to them and end up adding one member to my zoo (their sanctuary). I’m glad you did the same. Thank you so much for this poem, Beth.
PS: That adorable little tiger in the picture is everything! Thank you for choosing this picture, Evan.
Thank you. Our living room has side-to-side cat condos. Who rescued whom? It doesn’t matter because all our lives are better with cats.
I love them, and your well-constructed poem tells us that you do too. This kit is of the “creampuff” designation, a highly sensitive variety, but each type has plenty of unique characteristics.
Lovely poem.
Thank you. I wear my “cat lady” label as a badge of honor.
E.V. Bless you! That wish there were more in the world like you.
I love your piece but totally.!!
I have been the proud owner of 24 felines. Never enough for me.! Now I can only have one! Rules of where I live
People do not comprehend this space in my heart for felines. I’ve seen that you do..
Again, I really loved your poem,
I guess cats are like potato chips; you can’t have just one. In my town, there is a 5-cat limit p/household. Of course, there probably are people who don’t abide by it. I’ll just mind my own business. Thank you.
E.V., this lovely poem is smoothly and engagingly written, and the subject matter is utterly endearing. Four tiny kittens have just turned up in our backyard – two blue-eyed Siamese, one bright orange marmalade, and one tiger tabby. We’re overwhelmed.
Wow! You’re lucky. I’d love to have that happen here. My husband warned me that if I come home with any more strays, they and I will be rehomed. Thank you for your kind words.
Awwww! That’s in response to the last couplet.
I’m not usually a fan of cutsie kitty-kat tales, but this one gets a big pass.
You got me from, “a mini tiger, gold and white!” EV.
And what a great bit of internal and line rhyme in the lines, “Within a flash, I saw him dash / towards my culinary cache.”
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Thank you. This one was fun to write.
Dear E.V.,
We, too, have had some rescue cats come into our hearts and homes. (I have a particular weakness for orange cats.) You drew me in with your first stanza and I enjoyed every line as the story unfolded. Thank you for this dear poem.
Gigi
Thank you. A lot of writers have a special fondness for cats.
E. V., so easily visualized. I could clearly see every facet of this wonderful
occurrence as it unfolded. A very heartwarming read. 🙂 Nice work –
Thank you. Cats are a great inspiration. They warm our minds … and hearts.
I absolutely love cats and I absolutely loved your fabulous poem. So descriptive,and a wonderful happy ending!
Thank you. There are many cats in cages at shelters still awaiting happy endings. Hopefully, they’ll find homes soon. They make the best pets.
Happy story told with charming touches! Most of the cats in my households have found their desired shelter and then been “found” by householders in similar ways.
Thank you.