Saturday 12 August 2017

The Alley Cat

My latest poem is in the form of a, Terza Rima and to the prompt, Cat, for Guernsey Poets August open mic evening. Link to Guernsey Poets

The Alley Cat

I saw in a shop window’s reflection,
a jazz cat, cool and quite hunky-dory,
strutting with poetical perfection.
                                                          
With an air of superiority,
jaunty yet graceful, hooked tail held high.
By my side he glided confidently.

Mirrored in puddles he kept slinking by.
Yes, you’d be a fine catch, now that’s a fact,
I thought, as I purred a reflective sigh.

Argh! Delusions of grandeur spat the rat.
Whilst washing my whiskers I hissed, think on!
Me? Deluded; I turned my back and down I sat.
Mangy, no way, for I am the top alley cat.

Julian Clarke © Aug’ 2017

I shall link to Poets United, Sunday Pantry

42 comments:

  1. Ah, you have captured the personality of this cat perfectly! Love it.

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    1. Thank you so much, Mary. Your comments are always appreciated.

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  2. That would be a fun read at the open mic!

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    1. I hope so, Rosemary and thank you for stopping by.

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  3. I can just see him - such feline attitude, perfectly portrayed.

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  4. Thank you, Julian, for bringing this tail (ha-ha) to life

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    1. Ha ha! nice one, Martin. (wish I'd thought of bringing this tail to life). Thanks for stopping by.

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    2. haha Clever comment Martin, now why do I want to meow..ok, just having fun.

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  5. O MY! He appears very regal. "cool and quite hunky-dory, / strutting with poetical perfection."...Love this :)

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  6. You are the top cat - super write!

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  7. I like that cat.. what does he care about that gutter rat!!!

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    1. Thank you, Rajani, I'm glad you liked it.

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  8. oh wow ! i love cats and this is just perfect! love the play on jazz cats

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    1. Thank you, Suyash and I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

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  9. Love the game with the cat. Playfully written, I see how it can be shown in motion...

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  10. This had me smiling - sometimes the alley cat is purr-fect, strutting with poetical perfection.

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    1. Thank you for your comments, much appreciated.

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  11. This is absolutely delightful!❤️

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    1. I'm pleased you enjoyed my poem and thank you for dropping by

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  12. This took me straight to the Broadway Musical "Cats", and the wonderful cat personalities it portrayed. Great write. I enjoyed it so much.

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  13. Don't mess around with an Alley cat. It is a wild one with no hope of being brought home!

    Hank

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  14. Love this...you have certainly captured the personality of cats perfectly!

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  15. You purrfectly captured his attitude in that strut. What a fun read. Happy Sunday Julian

    Much love...

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  16. This would be so much fun to be read at a poetry slam! I like the prowling cat very much and have known several, just like him! Fun write.

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  17. I love to write poems like this for open mike nights. Most are so serious, and you can have fun with this one.

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  18. A wonderful rollicking cadence in this. A fun read!

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  19. Very animated with a twist! And inventive like jazz.

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  20. The grin of a cheshire cat who got the cream:)

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  21. What a good feline! Nice one, Julian. Love the classical poetic form.

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  22. Oh I do love myself a great feline poem... had me smiling a great bit.

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  23. I loved this and it was great to hear you read it last night.

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    1. Thank you, John, your comments are much appreciated and I'm glad you liked it. The open mic was good evening, nice to catch up for a chat, too.

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Comments are very much appreciated and I shall endeavour to reply, however, this may not always be possible due to time restraints.