--THE CAT'S PRAYER--
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray this cushy life to keep.
I pray for toys that look like mice,
And sofa cushions, soft and nice.
I pray for gourmet kitty snacks,
And someone nice to scratch my back,
For windowsills all warm and bright,
For shadows to explore at night.
I pray I'll always stay real cool
And keep the secret feline rule
To NEVER tell a human that
The world is really ruled by CATS!
- Author Unknown
--THIS OLD CAT--
I'm getting on in years,
My coat is turning gray.
My eyes have lost their luster,
My hearing's just okay.
I spend my day dreaming
Of conquests in my past,
Lying near a sunny window
Waiting for its warm repast.
I remember our first visit,
I was coming to you free,
Hoping you would take me in
And keep me company.
I wasn't young or handsome,
Two years I'd roamed the street.
There were scars upon my face,
I hobbled on my feet.
I could sense your disappointment
As I left my prison cage.
Oh, I hoped you would accept me
And look beyond my age.
You took me out of pity,
I accepted without shame.
Then you grew to love me,
And I admit the same.
I have shared with you your laughter,
You have wet my fur with tears.
We've come to know each other
Throughout these many years.
Just one more hug this morning
Before you drive away,
And know I'll think about you
Throughout your busy day.
The time we've left together
Is a treasured time at that.
My heart is yours forever.
I Promise - This old cat.
- Author Unknown
The Rescuer's Creed
I promise I will take your unwanted animals.
I will heal their wounds, their diseases, their broken bones.
I will give them the medical attention they need and deserve.
I will nurture their starvation, and give them a warm place to sleep.
I will spay and neuter them, vaccinate them against the diseases that can harm them.
I will treat them and honor them.
I will buy them toys, blankets, balls, and teach them to play.
I will speak softly to them.
I will try to teach them not to fear, not to cry, not to fear, and not to hate.
I will whisper sweet, kind, gentle words into their ears, while gently trying to stroke their fear, their pain, and their scars away.
I will face their emotional scars and give them time to overcome them.
I will socialize them, potty train them, teach them to be obedient, show them dignity, and hold their paws, and stroke their ears if they have endured too much and walk them over the Rainbow Bridge, but most of all ...
I will teach them Love.
"Miracle of Life"
Come quick", their mother said, "The time is getting near";
She feels that when the kittens come the children should be here.
She told them that a big orange Tom took "Kitty" as his wife,
"It's wonderful, a gift from God, the miracle of life".
At half a year young "Kitty" feels too painful and too scared,
To appreciate six miracles, blind-eyed and yellow haired.
But she knows these lives depend on her and nature tells her how,
And as she cleans them, children ask "Mom, can we go now?"
But now and then, for six more weeks the children visit her,
To play with six new magic toys, made of life and fur.
The six weeks pass, the newness gone and new homes yet unfound,
Mom bundles up six miracles and takes them to the pound,
Where lovingly, with gentle hands and no tears left to cry,
The shelter workers kiss them once and take them off to die.
And "Momma Kitty", now she's called, mourns her loss and then,
She's put outside, and of course, she's pregnant once again.
Dad tells "Kitty" STOP THIS NOW or you won't live here long!,
But deep inside of Momma Cat, this time something's wrong.
Too young, too small, too often bred now nature's gone awry,
Momma Kitty feels it too and she crawls off to die.
She too is freed from this cruel world, and from her time of strife.
How harsh the truth, how high the price, this "Miracle of Life"
- Veterinarian, Dr Barry Taylor
- Baggage -
Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed
All nicely tucked into my warm new bed.
I would like to open my baggage Lest I forget
There is so much to carry - So much to regret.
Hmm.. Yes there it is, right on the top -
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss
And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame
As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave -
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain
I loved them, the others, the ones who left me
But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me
Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things and take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage, To never re-pack?
I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see
But I do come with baggage
Will you still want me?
© Evelyn Colbath - 1995 Baggage - All rights reserved
(used with permission) |
