is Tom Cat marking
his bounds with a hiss,
spreading his conqueror's
goods in a streak, his silent
treatment a would-be lover's
menace. On the prowl,
he shoulders the night
for favors, high-pitching
his few simple requests for
the scruff of a neck, kneading
paws, a soft purr to conserve
his heat for the inevitable
rendezvous when claws loose
to make him settle down.
He won't raise the moon
to shine. He's got no need
to look beyond the surface
of attention with his own slit
pupils, his loyalty to each
and not one unquestioned,
the prey always a matter
of private dispute.
© 2011 Maureen E. Doallas
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I wrote this poem for Abbey of the Arts Poetry Party #49, "Invitation to Poetry: Fierceness and Courage".
Anyone may share his or her inspiration at Abbey of the Arts by contributing a poem about fierceness. Be sure to provide in the comments section here the text of your poem and, if you wish, a link to your blog or the site where your poem appears.
On Friday, January 28, a name from among those participating will be drawn at random. The winner will receive a free registration for Christine Valters Paintner's Lenten Online Retreat: Journey with the Desert Mothers & Fathers, scheduled March 9 - April 23.
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I also offer this poem for this week's "One Shot Wednesday" event at One Stop Poetry. Be sure to visit the site late Tuesday afternoon and every Wednesday for links to the many contributors' poems.
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19 comments:
I'm seeing a very fierce ally cat. One that has seen a lot of winters. Great imagery, Maureen. I see a lot of someone I know in this poem too. I love how you do that.
Love it.
his silent treatment... like that
spot on tom
Just a hunch... I don't think "Tom Cat" sits at home bent in a drowsy curl on weekends. Excellent wordplay and use of subtlety to support your overall theme.
This fine poem is more than just about a cat, isn't it. It is about a cat, of course, but it's also about us and cats. Nice one, Maureen.
Oh, to have the courage and cunning of a cat...and his individualism as well...thank you...bkm
such wonderful imagery, loved this!
my cat moves across the floor with the sunbeam coming through the window...think i rather might like that life...
A lively and layered look at Tom Cat and his world, and exactly what fierceness is and where it fits.
I love it Maureen, thank you!
Very nice. Cats are love.
Your delightful poem makes me think of my cat who also kneads, my bed clothes in particular, although in a rather elegant manner!
CJ
"he shoulders the night
for favors,"
Love it!
Love this poem.
It made me smile!
At first, the Stray Cats' song "Stray Cat Strut" popped into my head (as songs often do), but your words chased that away as being too 'cartoonish' of a theme song for this read.
A fierce piece indeed, Maureen!
Enjoyable read indeed.
you are growing by leaps and bounds, Maureen-- this has such a sure cadence and great depth of image, piquant and satisfying diction! I love:
a soft purr to conserve
his heat for the inevitable
rendezvous when claws loose
to make him settle down.
He won't raise the moon
to shine. He's got no need
to look beyond the surface
of attention with his own slit
pupils, his loyalty to each
and not one unquestioned...
masterful line breaks here too..xxxj
Perfect, masterful. Love the end-stanza.
beautiful imagery...so real i had to make sure my dog was asleep before i signed in for the comment.
wonderful depiction and i love the line 'he shoulders the night for favors...'
did he learn that from men or did we learn from him? of course...he is the teacher!
well done maureen!
Good work Maureen! So realistic I had to make sure my dog was sleeping before I read it a second time.
Love the line "He shoulders the night for favors..."
Takes me back a few years (and I didn't have a cat!)
Beautifully descriptive work...
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