Sick ol' alley cat - pipTalk Forums

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Newpoet
Member

since 2008-05-16

Posts 72

0 posted 2009-04-10 07:38 PM

Drunken alleyway cat

Sick ol’ cat, bopping down alleyways.
Echoing noise from the city around.
Cool, vicious cat, elongated strides.
Screech like a Bobcat, slash like a Tiger.
Hopping on rusty trash cans, tasting culture.

Bright green melting eyes,
four white paws tiptoeing,
black stripes sleeping on grey fur,
ears twitching from side to side,
tail swirling and whirling in the air.

Sick ol’ cat, wounds from youth
Scars to remind it of lessons learned
This ol’ cat never damn learns
Half an ear gnawed off, missing fur
Scrambling viciously against brick walls

Poor drunk don’t know when to quit
Survival sound like the Jazz
To this ol’ dirty feline’s ears

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

1 posted 2009-04-10 07:59 PM

"Hopping on rusty trash cans, tasting culture."
That is the true Alleycat agenda.
Enjoyed this city feline snapshot.

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2 posted 2009-04-10 09:02 PM

Yo Newpoet,

That cat better sober-up, and catch some mice and rats. I like cats a lot.

Bobby

Pilgrimage
Member Elite

since 2001-12-04

Posts 3945
Texas, USA

3 posted 2009-04-10 10:28 PM

I love your voice in this one! I could see and hear that old alley cat.

Nan (Pilgrim variety)

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

4 posted 2009-04-11 02:31 AM

Extremely well written poem, but forgive me if you are angry with me for saying that I think you are mistaken about a couple of things about that darling kitty cat.

Firstly he DOES learn, that is why he has reached old age, in spite of being an alley cat.  Secondly, I really doubt that he is drunk because for an alley cat to reach old age, he has to be wise and in control of himself at all time to contend with the constant dangers.  He may be sick (and I hope not) or he may just be very hungry, as I am sure he doesn't find 3 meals a day very easily.  If the latter is the case, I hope he finds a delicious and filling and nourishing meal soon.

As you said, though not in these words, no matter how scarred, and possibly scraggy, he may be, he is beautiful inside and out, and very precious, and most worthy of your excellent poem.

Owl (an owl who adores cats, and not to eat or harm in any way, as Tigger, my beautiful tabby cat will confirm)

ethome
Member Patricius

since 2000-05-14

Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada

5 posted 2009-04-11 03:02 AM

When those ol tomcats get fighting with each other they sure chew and claw each other to pieces.
It is really wild to watch them in a standoff growling at one another. Then all of a sudden they fly into action and the old cliche 'the fur will fly' comes true.
Nature's way to establish territory.

I think you're right though it's like a preview into a jazz session with the peaks and valleys of improvisation.

Good work.

Eric

Newpoet
Member

since 2008-05-16

Posts 72

6 posted 2009-04-11 01:33 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone. I really appreciate it.

As for being drunk, I mean the alley cat doesn't know when to give up his lifestyle (fighting, living in the gutters of society, and eating trash), but he is so accustomed to that reality, that he doesn't know anything else. He has certainly become wise over the years from living a seedy life, but that is all he'll know. It has become an instinct to him in old age.

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