Heir of the Undergrowth

Affecting a playfully elevated tone, this free verse poem is inspired by living with a cat.

O, furry fledgling,

Tiny squeaking prince,

Heir of the undergrowth,

 

Lie not in your curled position of fetal defeat,

A motionless pebble,

Your smoky-grey fur disheveled.

 

The gaze of the house-cat has been diverted

And his jaws have gone loose.

Seize this fortuitous moment

 

And spring to your fluttering feet;

How they are already ahead of you,

Eager to run back home.