‘Tis the season, cat style! Wishing everyone happy holidays, whether with family, a good book, or however you spend the time. May you have at least one relaxing day.
I had settled for a long winter’s nap
Snug in my blankets like a good old chap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a bapping
I sprang from my bed, slippers a’flapping.
I turn on the lights and look through the glass
To see cats bapping each other with cuteness and sass.
My catnip bushes had all but been shredded
And a cat take-over was now dreaded.
I whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now Orange! Now White! Now Tuxedo and Striped!
On Cali! On, Tort! On Spotted and Short!
Flee from my plants! Flee from my yard!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away hard!”
As leaves that swirled around feral cats
They ignored my words and added more baps:
The rest of my garden and trees got the claws;
Windows were streaked with smudges of paws.
A few made aim for my lighted décor
Flinging the lights as they bapped some more.
Snowmen fell flat while cats ran from sight—
Only “Merry Christmas to all” was still standing this night.
–M.G. Rorai