Slow season so I linger with an old cat, Mr. Shrimpton,
On the narrow boardwalk of a garden,
Stepping up to ferns and purple blossoms.
Mr. Shrimpton picks his way and digs to relieve himself.
Neighbour cat in white and grey
Sits on the weathered fence among the ivy.
He won't be persuaded to neighbourliness
But scatters as I approach.
Mr. Shrimpton walks stiffly across the boards.
His thin sides ripple
And I fret a bit about his bowels.
"Help yourself to tea," said my client's note.
I boil the water as I dole out Mr.Shrimpton's food,
Three different kinds on china painted with blue fish.
Shrimpton must be tempted, his appetite old and finicky,
But yesterday he ate all three.
I drop the tea bag in a cup and let it steep
While tending Shrimpton's basement litter.
I ponder his digeston.
He's alert but his eyes are cloudy.
I make a call on the client's phone
And fret about my lack of business.
But someone will call me, someone always does.
I've got a few lined up in the next three weeks.
I drink my tea in the narrow garden
While Shrimpton retreats somewhere inside
Not caring about my lack of business
Or all the Christmas calls I'll get.
Will I see you then, Shrimpton?
Shrimpton yowls a little
But then I find him on the guest room bed,
Asleep, his boney back curled by the wall.
Empty or full,
It's better than TOSI and so much better
than telephone research.
A contest entry
- True colours. by Delicate Fire Water.
450 points, ended December 27, 2007, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
How does this make you feel?
Comments
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Hmm
This was very descriptive, however not really what I was looking for, thanks for entering though!
*Stephi*
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A wonderful snapshot into this moment, great descriptive phrases, we get to know Mr. Shrimpton right away. I love the flow between inner gnawings and the gnawings of an old bag of bones cat.He may need some grated cheese over the food every couple of days lol.
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This is great, the expressions used are amazing and the poem flows really nicely. very good.
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Oh, I like this very much! I love cats, so that helps! This is really nice. I hope to read more from you, Judy.
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