120 Lady, the Frog Cat
The Trigger:
Having lost two cats to age and illness, it seems appropriate to reference our latest pet project. Lady is likely a "Russian Blue", with the distinctive grey, short hair and attitude associated with the breed. Although largely a house cat, Lady is allowed forays into a fenced yard brimming with plants of all kinds. There, she has perfected a routine to track, hunt, pursue, and "capture" visiting frogs. She does not harm them, but after a spirited chase simply "pats" them on their backs. Like an American Indian "counting coup", she has shown her capabilities and is content to be declared the winner of the hide-and-seek contest. She's really gotten quite good at it. Of course, no poem would be complete without a "moral to the story". Thus, we attempt to learn something from our pet's experience.
120. Lady, the “Frog Cat”
If a “bird dog” is a canine who pursues the prey that flies,
Then a “frog cat” is a feline who pursues the prey that hides.
To our garden, or the basins that were meant for bird or bee,
Come the slimy, dark, and furtive things that from our lady flee.
Watch our huntress as she circles ‘round each pool, and pond, and dip,
(If she’s thirsty, she’s been known to stop and take a genteel sip).
But her goal, both fierce and focused, is to seek the frogs who hide,
Praying, fervently, their guile and stealth will make a fit disguise.
Every evening, before sunset, Lady starts to cry and mew,
Begging, “Won’t you let me go outside to hunt a frog or two?
“I have been so very helpful as you’ve done your chores today,
“Won’t you please return the favor and allow me time to play?”
So we leave the comfort of our home to seek the common frog,
Who’d enjoyed the cool and quiet without fear of cats or dogs.
But their peace is interrupted, and their calm soon turns to fear,
As their nemesis begins a hunt that we both watch and cheer.
She will stalk them in the clover, she will track them in the grass,
She will listen, sniff, and touch until they’re gently in her grasp.
Counting coup upon her enemies, she lets them slip away,
So she’s sure to find a frog that she can hunt another day.
So we bid our Lady of the night a peaceful, soft, Adieu,
Having found that even cats can teach their owners something new:
Should you visit some strange garden without leave to roam or play,
You may find, with little warning, you’ve become another’s prey.
(c) servingjesuspoetry.com
All commercial rights reserved.
Having lost two cats to age and illness, it seems appropriate to reference our latest pet project. Lady is likely a "Russian Blue", with the distinctive grey, short hair and attitude associated with the breed. Although largely a house cat, Lady is allowed forays into a fenced yard brimming with plants of all kinds. There, she has perfected a routine to track, hunt, pursue, and "capture" visiting frogs. She does not harm them, but after a spirited chase simply "pats" them on their backs. Like an American Indian "counting coup", she has shown her capabilities and is content to be declared the winner of the hide-and-seek contest. She's really gotten quite good at it. Of course, no poem would be complete without a "moral to the story". Thus, we attempt to learn something from our pet's experience.
120. Lady, the “Frog Cat”
If a “bird dog” is a canine who pursues the prey that flies,
Then a “frog cat” is a feline who pursues the prey that hides.
To our garden, or the basins that were meant for bird or bee,
Come the slimy, dark, and furtive things that from our lady flee.
Watch our huntress as she circles ‘round each pool, and pond, and dip,
(If she’s thirsty, she’s been known to stop and take a genteel sip).
But her goal, both fierce and focused, is to seek the frogs who hide,
Praying, fervently, their guile and stealth will make a fit disguise.
Every evening, before sunset, Lady starts to cry and mew,
Begging, “Won’t you let me go outside to hunt a frog or two?
“I have been so very helpful as you’ve done your chores today,
“Won’t you please return the favor and allow me time to play?”
So we leave the comfort of our home to seek the common frog,
Who’d enjoyed the cool and quiet without fear of cats or dogs.
But their peace is interrupted, and their calm soon turns to fear,
As their nemesis begins a hunt that we both watch and cheer.
She will stalk them in the clover, she will track them in the grass,
She will listen, sniff, and touch until they’re gently in her grasp.
Counting coup upon her enemies, she lets them slip away,
So she’s sure to find a frog that she can hunt another day.
So we bid our Lady of the night a peaceful, soft, Adieu,
Having found that even cats can teach their owners something new:
Should you visit some strange garden without leave to roam or play,
You may find, with little warning, you’ve become another’s prey.
(c) servingjesuspoetry.com
All commercial rights reserved.