#straycats
Two kittens too young showed up on my porch. The flood light was their saving torch.
The girl, (Socks) of undetermined breed
The other Mr. T a tabby markings proceed
Other cats challenge for the premium porch spot
Socks the little girl kitten fighting she did not
She hid on the porch to be safe
Mr. T aggressively defended her grace
Yet one day she was gone I don’t know why
Mr. T spent days with a loud sad intense cry
Lamenting the loss Waiting for His love to return
I drove around town Her fate, I never did learn
A beautiful tabby Tom cat I call Mr. T
Took up residence on my porch you see
I made a shanty of tarps and cardboard
It’s what I had and could afford
Three cat beds, baby blankets to keep them warm
To whether harsh winter; wind snow rain storm
The padded bench added an advantage point
To see animals with intentions out of joint
When I’m away, the neighbor puts food down
Unfortunately, all the cats in our street town
Want to get their fill of the food left out
Survival breeds progression, no doubt
Mr. T took two years slowly I gained his trust
Rubbing up against my leg claiming me he must
His gifts of critters; moles, and occasional mouse
He made his way around and through my house
One fine day I opened the door and he walked in
From Then I fed him food He didn’t have to win.
Several cats I’ve had to chase away
Especially those who have a home per se
Wildcats are a breed of distinction
They struggle for survival against their rival
Battles they’ve won and lost at what cost
forever known licking their wounds,
scars to a tone cries to new tunes
Inspired songs;
1) Stray cats strut By Stray Cats 1970
2) The year of the cats By Al Stewart 1976
3) Me and the cat By Rod McKuen 1970
4) What’s up pussycat By Tom Jones 1965
5) Cats in the cradle By Harry Chapin, 1974
Feb 8
Feb 8, 2026 at 12:34 PM UTC
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Past eight in the ev'ning....rainy sky
Was out at the verandah...twas time
To pull the second bar of the gate
Street was a bit dark..........despite my dimming sight
I could see shapes...sensed some presence...heard soft noises'
Permeating the cool night atmosphere...three voices
Four guests, as in past nights...waiting outside...
A rushing, and tingling of plates, ladles and pots
The opening and closing of the glass door
After a while, our guests were served late dinner
Complaining.....in their own familiar way
Three impatient stray cats, kept meow-ing,
The neighbor's dog...as usual...patiently waited...
The brown-striped cat ran to the vacant lot
And started licking her share of fishhead
While the younger two, shared a single plate.
They all contentedly, ate in silence...
After a while...one by one,
Our regular guests disappeared
Lost, in the dark....among the tall banana plants
Sheltered themselves....somewhere safe,
Their purrs, and hushed yelping,
Faded...in the black distance...
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Twas time, to secure the bar of the gate,
.....................time, to close for the night...
Sally
Copyright October 24, 2016
Rosalia Rosario A. Bayan
Nov 6, 2016
Nov 6, 2016 at 1:58 AM UTC