Only a cat

By Dorothy Fisher Field Submitted by Bonnie Shaver

She came to my house

Looking lost and forlorn

So, I couldn’t send her away

And you can’t close the door

Once you open your heart

To a lovable calico stray.

So, Tabby moved in

And before very long

She was part of the family —

A self-proclaimed queen

Who had risen above

Her lack of pedigree.

She clawed up the curtains

And shredded the couch

Whenever she felt in the mood.

She meowed to go out

And she meowed to come in

And turned up her nose at her food.

But all of her failings

I gladly forgave

In exchange for the sound of her purr.

And I’ll always remember

Her quicksilver grace

And the cinderdown feel of her fur.

She was truly a lady

Who sparingly gave

Her affections to only a few.

And once she decided

In favor of me

No other mistress would do.

Some people might say

She was only a cat,

But I think of her now as a blend

Of constant companion,

Perennial guest,

And yes,

As a very good friend.