Burgess: A Poem
Usually my poetry is written ABAB Rhyme Scheme, but after taking this photo, I was inspired to try something more free-form. I like the results and hope you do too.
Burgess (A Poem)
Rail-thin, big of heart, small of paw
Orange striped from twitchy tail to curious nose
A metabolism that could power a city
If we only knew how to harness it.
Considers our yard part of his territory,
Makes his rounds twice a day, at the least
Always checks the back deck, for our safety, of course
We set loaded food bowls out for him to disarm.
It’s all part of my day, ma’am, just doing my job
He worries for us when we don’t appear
Have our gawky not-paws finally stopped working?
He always knew they would one day. Bad design.
A bowl of snow is a cry for help. Why have we not tended to it?
He feels sad for us, trapped, unable to prowl,
Finally, with a quiet ‘mrew’ he moves on,
Hoping for signs of life (and meat) on his next check-in.
Lori Alden Holuta
January 24, 2022
Lori Alden Holuta
Lori Alden Holuta lives between the cornfields of Mid-Michigan, where she grows vegetables and herbs when she’s not writing, editing, or playing games with a cat named Chives.
