Related quotes: I A long time ago...

Sonnets of the boy who drew cats

A long time ago
when soldiers still carried spears and swords
a Japanese farmer and his wife,
had a string of children
and everyone got a task.

They milked cows, cared after pigs,
gathered chicken eggs
and ploughed the soil,
planted rice, wheat and oats,
but the youngest was too weak and small
to do any work
and time and again he neglected his duties
and disappeared
and drew cats.

The farmer scratched his head
and did not know what to do
with a child that disappears
and couldn’t complete a task and drew
big and small, white, black, ginger and pied cats
of each size and type.

So the farmer and his wife reckoned
to take the child to the nearest temple
to become a priest
and the farmer tied his sword around his side,
loaded the child on a horse
saddled his own horse
and maybe the men of God
would learn the child about duties.

III

The child studied well
but nobody could stop him
from drawing cats everywhere
and it happened
that the priest thought
that he couldn’t
become a priest and rather
be an artist.

The child was sent
to a temple farther away
and the priest instructed him
to avoid big places at night
and to find a sleeping place
in a small place.

The temple was abandoned
because a evil goblin
coming from the dark earth,
expelled the priests
and the soldiers
that went to face him
had all disappeared.

At night a light burned
in the temple
and when the boy arrived
he went in and everywhere
that he found a white screen he painted a cat
and he remembered the words of the old priest
and went to sleep in a small cabinet.

That night he heard a big noise
of a great fight
and cats roaring like lions
growling angrily
while something tried to
smash and pierce them
and he heard them
ripping something to pieces.

The next morning
a goblin
with the head of a rat,
with a pronged whip and sword in his hands
was dead in the middle of the temple
where he lost the fight.

l’Envoi
There was still wet blood
on the mouths of the cats
painted
on the screens
and they looked innocent
and vulnerable.

When the priests returned
they immediately saw
what happened
and they declared
boy a hero
and later he was renown
as a painter
that only paints cats.

[Reference: With thanks to “Japanese Fairy Tales, The boy who drew cats” by Lafcadio Hearn that gave me the idea of this poem.]

poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes

7 Cats of the Cobblestone

7 cats came calling.
7 cats they be.

7 cats came calling
for
a
spot
of
tea.

7 cups
7 saucers
berries
brie
and
clotted cream.

A light fare for 7 cats
7 cats they be.

7 cats
7 names
introduced to us.

One was black and white
the other calico.

Two tabbies sat at the hearth
three more we will get to know.

Lagging behind
we did find
peculiar
ginger cat.

Next to stroll in
cat named Vincent Van Gogh
and Siam,
white as fallen snow.

Kit Kat
Chi Chi
took milk with tea.

Miss Cleo and Rosy savoring dessert.

Duke of course
curious sort
sat out
upon
the stoop.
With no warning
came storming in
last to introduce.

After tea
and light fare
cat nap they did sleep.

7 cats came calling
7 cats we keep.
7 cats of the Cobblestone
7 cats they be.

poem by Gary Kedron
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Copying Cat

A day / A night
A pet / A sight
Paws / Thy Claws
Fur white / Hellkite
Small teeth / Thy Jaws

Red, brown? White, grey? Born stark?
At night all cats are dark

Bear crown? Without way? No marque?
In the dark all cats' labels are park

All cats are cat, at night,
No doubts about their power, their might,
Let none question the fear they incite,
'Cause for advantage they have cat's spite,
And night is quite the cat's best site,
For proven the fact, which strangeness is quite,
That is at the dark where cat's do their flight,
And none's is worst than a very cat's bite

For none can be a cat's copycat,
And no cat can avoid copying cats

poem by by unknown author
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Cats Eye Resurrection

Cats ~ cats ~ cats
Eye
Cats ~ cats ~ cats
Splashing on my walls ~ my walls
In the field the bodies are tied
To the their crosses hair hanging down
The blood is rolling down their
Arms to the waiting dogs
Bad ~ bad ~ bad
Doctors
Bad ~ bad ~ bad
Counting the meat on the tables
In the field the bodies are tied to the
Altar the popes mule sings a song of
Freedom from his majesty-the pope
Nazi ~ nazi ~ nazi
Butchers
Nazi ~ nazi ~ nazi
Waving their tongues in the air
Cats-cats-cats-bad-bad-bad-cats eye
Resurrection

song performed by by Rob Zombie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Cats In The Well

The cats in the well, the wolf is looking down.
The cats in the well, the wolf is looking down.
He got his big bushy tail dragging all over the ground.
The cats in the well, the gentle lady is asleep.
Cats in the well, the gentle lady is asleep.
She aint hearing a thing, the silence is a-stickin her deep.
Bridge #1:
The cats in the well and grief is showing its face
The worlds being slaughtered and its such a bloody disgrace.
The cats in the well, the horse is going bumpety bump.
The cats in the well, and the horse is going bumpety bump.
Back alley sally is doing the american jump.
Bridge #2:
The cats in the well, and pappa is reading the news.
His hair is falling out and all of his daughters need shoes.
The cats in the well and the barn is full of bull
The cats in the well and the barn is full of bull
The night is so long and the table is oh, so full
Bridge #3:
The cats in the well and the servant is at the door.
The drinks are ready and the dogs are going to war.
The cats in the well, the leaves are starting to fall
The cats in the well, leaves are starting to fall
Goodnight, my love, may the lord have mercy on us all.

song performed by by Bob Dylan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Crazy In The Night

(g. porter)
Producer: dennis kirk and basil poledouris
Album: summer lovers soundtrack (82)
Somewhere out in the galaxy
A numbers up but not for me
Theres a light inside the window
And the curtains coming down
Pig is on the spit and turning round
Going crazy in the night
Crazy in the night
Dropped in from munich with a master plan
Guess he left his wife and kids at home
Hes got so much money rollin
From the crimes hell commit
But the siamese cats are gonna take a little bit
Going crazy in the night
Crazy in the night
Will I turn and run or do I stand and face the gun...oh
Going crazy in the night
Everybody seemed tove lost their way
Crazy in the night
Seems theres no way outta here
Do I turn and run....no!
Got no hands but Ive got my head
Ive come so far from the temple
Maybe this is babylon or maybe its a dream
If it werent so beautiful, it would be obscene
Drinking with the panthers, dancing for their life
God, this place is hungry
Come and see the players but dont stay for the show
The cats are out tonight, hungry for their rites
Going crazy in the night
Crazy in the night
Will I turn and run or do I stand and face the gun
Going crazy in the night
Everybody seemed tove lost their way
Crazy in the night
Seems theres no way outta here
Will I turn and run...no
Got no hands but Ive got my head
Ive come so far from the temple
Maybe this is babylon or maybe its a dream
If it werent so beautiful

song performed by by Tina Turner
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Peace And Propriety

in the name of propriety
to cats we must be cats too

you know what happens when
we show to the cats that we
are really dogs in feelings and
actions,

there will be a chase of course,
and chaos, and there will be war
and there will be losers and
winners,

and in this matter
and manner of speaking we choose
to be dogs to assure that we win

but that is not always the case
the cats have advanced in their feline
technology and breeding

so my dear, let us just be proper
to cats we shall be cats
and make this world a happy place
for all.

poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Cattitude for M'Lady Ernestine

She tells her kittens this and that
Like any feline mother would
and she makes sure they’ve understood
Just what it means to be a cat...

For cats can trace their ancestry
much farther back than humans can
They are superior to man
although humans may not agree.

There was a time when humans knew
the feline race was born to rule.
The race of man was just a tool
cats used to do what they must do.

The menial tasks of every day
beneath a felines dignity.
A cats place was to oversee
that men did their work properly.

But times have changed and now today
Cats are seen by men as pets
but no true cat ever forgets.
That they will rule again one day.

Mean while cats have to rule by guile
A wise cat always gets her way
it is a role cats have to play.
Though cats may vary in their style.

Cats make the men provide our food
and somewhere warm and dry to sleep
Cats do not need to earn their keep.
There is no reason why we should.

That’s what men were created for.
Although they claim authority
they misperceive reality.
They’re born to worship and adore.

Perhaps cats will reward them when
Cats can assume their rightful place
as rulers of the human race.
The wheel is sure to turn again.

8-Feb-08

poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Lucifer Sam

Lucifer sam, siam cat.
Always sitting by your side
Always by your side.
That cats something I cant explain.
Ginger, ginger, jennifer gentle youre a witch.
Youre the left side
Hes the right side.
Oh, no!
That cats something I cant explain.
Lucifer go to sea.
Be a hip cat, be a ships cat.
Somewhere, anywhere.
That cats something I cant explain.
At night prowling sifting sand.
Hiding around on the ground.
Hell be found when youre around.
That cats something I cant explain.

song performed by by Pink Floyd
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Innocent Child

I was just a child, an innocent child
I didn't know when, I didn't know how.
I was just a child, an innocent child.
She couldn't save me from what happened,
even though she tried. She always tried.
she was my guardian angel.
I was just a child, an innocent child.
I couldn't be saved then, and I cant be saved now.
The dark angel came over, knocked on my door.
sucked the life out of my family, I was only 5.
I was just a child, and innocent child.
I didn't understand, Where did they go? What happened to mommy and daddy? What happened to sissy? Why didn't they come home last night?
They brought the car to my house, thought someone else would be home, but it was just me, just a little 5 year old..I looked at it... I saw the twists and the turns... the dents and the broken glass.. the scars will always be there.. I see it slamming into a ditch..rolling, rolling, and when it stops.
Silence...
I was just a child, an innocent child.
I didn't understand. how could that happen.. what happened?
I was just an innocent child, the innocent child.
She went away that night.. and she never came back.

poem by Forever Gone
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Life of a Roman Catholic Priest

A priest is nearest Christ;
A priest is Christ at times;
A priest is almost Christ;
A priest is most divine.

A priest is God’s shepherd;
A priest must tend to flock;
A priest must be like ‘rock’;
A priest should ne’er defrock.

A priest communes with God;
A priest draws hope from Lord;
A priest shows love of Christ;
A priest carries His Cross!

A priest is tempted too;
A priest has falls in life;
A priest falters also;
A priest has strength from Christ.

A priestly job is tough;
A priest’s life can turn rough;
A priest has strife enough,
But has to smile and laugh!

A priest helps harvest souls;
A priest has many roles;
A priest has but one goal –
To drink from Christ’s own bowl!

Pray that more priests should come;
May priests curb their freedom;
May priest usher Kingdom;
A life for Christ’s welcome.

Fondly dedicated to Rev. Fr. Xavier Claudius,
Beloved Parish priest, ‘Holy Family Church, Perundurai

poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Three Cool Cats

Three cool cats,
Three cool cats
Are coming up in a beat up car,
Spitting up a lift of candy bar
Talking on about how sharp they are.
Three cool cats.
Three cool chicks
Are walking down the street
Swinging their hips,
Splitting up a bag of potatoe chips
I think cool cats really did flip.
Three cool chicks
Three cool chicks.
Well up came that first cool cat,
He said: man look at that.
Man, do you see what i see?
Well i want that middle chick
I want that little chick.
Hey man save once chick for me.
Well three cool chicks.
Three cool chicks.
Well they love like
Angels from up above
And three cool cats
Really fell in love.
But three cool chicks
Made three fools out of
Three cool cats.
Three cool cats.
Well up came that first cool cat,
He said: man look at that.
Man do you see what i see?
Well i want that middle chick,
I want that little chick.
Hey man, save one chick for me.
Three cool chicks.
Three cool chicks.
They look like
Angels from up above
And three cool cats
Really fell in love.
And three cool chicks
Made three fools out of
Three cool cats.
Three cool cats.
Three cool cats.
Three cool cats.

song performed by by Beatles
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sleeping With Cats, Or Trying To

From 'Dating at Fifty' a collection of poems about the quest for love in middle age

Trying to sleep with cats,
Cats not content to use their box discretely
But compelled by strange ambition
To dig to China after each smelly deposit.

Trying to sleep in blankets
Full of cat litter
Tracked in by the cats.

Trying to sleep with cats, not content
To sleep or read or wait quietly for the dawn
But driven to actively stalk
The largely fictitious wildlife
Of a two room apartments.

Trying to sleep with a new woman
In strange bed with cats….
Forget about it! ! !

poem by Allan Thorne
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Christmas Child

One dark night a farmer heard his sheep bleating,
went out and a above him saw a strange star,
with his walking stick the old man walked
to the shed and he hoped

that he was worrying in vain,
he was aware of the bright light above him.
At the cowshed a lamp was burning
as if two teenagers impudently

was spending time with each other,
but he found a mature couple that were sheltering there
and the women was giving birth,
it was too late to take her home and she was shy;

the farmer, his wife and child
were overwhelmed by the Christmas child.

poem by Gert Strydom
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The Cat of All Cats

My Cat is the cat of all cats
For she is like a beautiful Painting
She sleeps and awakes in the early morning
To demand her requests for the day.
My Cat is the cat of all cats
She is royal and dignified.
Poets and Writers have long been inspired
She is admired by all who encounter her
My Cat is the cat of all cats
And shall remain so, until the end of her nine lives.

poem by Kim Day
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Conscientious Deacon

(A song to be syncopated as you please)

Black cats, grey cats, green cats miau—
Chasing the deacon who stole the cow.

He runs and tumbles, he tumbles and runs.
He sees big white men with dogs and guns.

He falls down flat. He turns to stare—
No cats, no dogs, and no men there.

But black shadows, grey shadows, green shadows come.
The wind says, 'Miau!' and the rain says, 'Hum!'

He goes straight home. He dreams all night.
He howls. He puts his wife in a fright.

Black devils, grey devils, green devils shine—
Yes, by Sambo,
And the fire looks fine!
Cat devils, dog devils, cow devils grin—
Yes, by Sambo,
And the fire rolls in.

And so, next day, to avoid the worst—
He takes that cow
Where he found her first.

poem by Vachel Lindsay
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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In The Small Park Aza Rd. Rechavia Thirty- Five Years Later

IN THE SMALL PARK AZA RD. RECHAVIA

Thirty- five years
Have gone by
I was alone then here
My family in America
Lonely and beginning in love.

Here now
In official old age
And not tired
My children far
And worried about-
I do what I did then
Write a small poem
And pretend
I am making my name
An eternity.

The cars go by as they did then
A few cats, one child in the playground
Across from me a flag of Israel on a standard block building
Seen through the yellow- green happy color
Of the morning trees.

poem by Shalom Freedman
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Darkly...As Thru A Cat's Eyes

If you could see what it tis, that cats can see
It would amaze, perplex and astound you

For they can see, most easily
The sights and worlds that swirl around you

Seen by you as a half glimpsed shadow…
A furtive movement from the corner of one’s eye

Unseen by you, behind that sly shadow
Is where the other worlds lie

Cats legs will stiffen, hair stand on end
Wide eyes staring into dark, empty space

At seemingly nothing… but I tell you my friend
They see things and know of, a strange eerie place

The things that we sense, yet elude our meager vision
The things that rustle about and go bump in the night

This is simply the world that exists hard close to ours
Quite real to cats, and to us unseen, out of sight

The frightened manner in which cats react and stare
Could be good reason that we’re not allowed to be…

Endowed with their perception, of what it tis they’re aware
Of the worlds swirling about us…worlds, only cats can see

poem by David Whalen
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Today... 'The Child Jesus

Led by the Spirit His parents had brought
The Child Jesus into the Temple court
The Temples' to the temple had come
To keep the law and the required custom

The glory of the Lord was there that day
In that building composed of earthly clay
Greater glory than in Solomon's reign
God into His temple had come again

Few expected Him to come in this way
‘Twas not at the request of men that pray
But to fulfil the law and pay the price
A pair of turtle doves as sacrifice

Simeon and Hannah were present there
And in prophecy began to declare
That Child in their arms was the Holy one
Born of God, His only Belovéd Son

As this great moment began to unfold
The world passed by too busy to behold
For this Child Jesus was to change the way
In which man has to come to God today

The veil of the temple was torn in two
It's now possible for man to pass through
That Child in the temple became a man
And died on the cross to fulfil God's plan

(see also the additional information in the Poet's notes box below)

poem by Roy Allen
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Me, Love, Them

LIKE a street drug, his poison
took, and took well, like a dull
knife, it cuts the skin, then
finds the blood, then soul.
OH fairy tales, take this child
in your hands,
OH fairy tales, let the white
horse come, and take this child
to a place called, me, love,
and them.
LIKE a street whore, this
man sells his body to the
dogs, the rich take what they
want, and the poor kick,
and kick, untill he finds his
way back home.
OH fairy tales, take this
child in your hands,
oh fairy tales, let the
white horse come, and take this
child to a place called,
me, love, and them.

poem by David Gerardino
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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