In 1960, I wrote a poem that was published in my high school newspaper- Analy High School, in Sebastopol, CA. It was probably the first time I thought of cats having a human 'voice,' and the first time I was 'published.' Many years later, I began to write Black Cat cozy mystery series. For a change of pace, here is my poem -
The Cat's Side of It
The alley cat lives a lonely life, mad at his friends and mad at his wife.
When you're mad at the guy, and mad at the gals --Who's a cat go, he can call his pals?
The lonely vigil on a backyard post, unto the night, playing the host
a bottle, a brick, soon lay at your feet.., but who's a cat got? Again, I repeat.
Why ya sleep all day and you roam all night, your nerve as soon be in a terrible plight.
But ya gotta' have friends, be it only the moon, so ya open yer mouth to let fly a tune.
Oh! Then the things you can hear folks say, those sleeping away the best part of the day.
You'd think they'd enjoy hearing my song. After all, what does a human do all day long?
But gamble and smoke and loaf in the park and ruin the day with some foolish lark.
They waste the day.., then curse in the night when I try to inform them of MY pitiful plight.
So what's a cat do when he hasn't a friend and he hasn't a wife on whom to depend?
You'd think folks would be helpful, but instead they just gripe,
When I cry out my sorrow on the fence post at night!
(OK! I was 16 years old! Maybe I wasn't meant to a poet)
Check out the Black Cat mysteries at Amazon
Black Cat’s Legacy, Thumper meets his 'person' and helps pursue a cold case murder. http://tinyurl.com/lrvevgm
Black Cat and the Lethal Lawyer, Thumper goes to Texas and confronts an embezzling attorney, a conniving grandmother and a sneaky stable master. He also meets his lady love. http://tinyurl.com/q3qrgyu
Black Cat and the Accidental Angel, Black Cat and his companion are left behind following an MVA and confront increasingly dangerous pranks with the family that takes them in.. http://tinyurl.com/y6vhncq
I like it! Never saw that before
It's been buried in one of my folders since 1960! Proves that I'm older than dirt!
You were right to write about cats, though. Your compassion for the furry creatures was evident even then.
Love your Black Cat Mystery series!
Thanks, Ellen. Thought you'd all enjoy this fun poem.