The Lesson (Poetry)

The new cat on the block
was unaware that there were rules
about who chased what
and that’s what got
him into trouble.

The old cat let him learn
the hard way — watched
the new cat stalk the squirrels
and harrass the blackbirds pecking
through rough-mown grass
while magpies — cocky and aloof —
rat-tat-tatted their advice
loudly from the roof.

It went on for a while —
the same tiresome hunting games
the new cat ran and pounced
while pigeons flapped away
and squirrels sat in trees
perplexed, tails twitching, trapped
until he got fed up
and wandered off ...

In the end, of course, he went too far —
crossed a line and climbed
a tree where a crow sat
almost as big as he —
an angry bird who cawed
egged him on, it seemed
deliberately.

Hectored beyond reason
the foolish feline wriggled along
the swaying branch to where
the crow continued baiting him.
Then, as if suddenly becoming aware
of his precarious position
high in the unfriendly air
the cat thought better of it
and decided to retreat
looking awkward in descent
while the crow pursued him
big beak stabbing for emphasis
loudly jeering his defeat.

Drama over, the cat slunk off
to tend pride’s wounds
and magpies, squirrels, blackbirds
pigeons                plus
the plucky old black crow
reclaimed their peaceful feeding grounds.