Hell-Cat (Poetry)

I loathe little pussy
her stare cold as ice
a heartless born killer
of birds and blind mice.

She hunts in my garden
walls can’t keep her out
no living thing’s safe
with that monster about.

I might put down poison
I might set a trap
I’ve more than good reason
to plan a ‘mishap’.

She knows how I hate her
that glint in her eye
reflects ugly malice
unnerving and sly.

Her perch a low branch of
my old apple tree
where sphinx-like for hours
she sits watching me.

I silently curse her
words freeze on my breath
while sheer panic undoes
any sanity left.

For that moggie’s a demon
a devil in fur
any blood that is spilt
is between me and her.

Purrs roll a mock comfort
her coat bristles warm
dumb animal rights
all forbid I do harm

to an innocent creature
half-feral or pet
and even this hybrid’s
four-footed dark threat.

So we size up each other
one thought in my head
there’s no rest to be had
’til the hell-cat is dead.