A Very True Tail Or Tale

They’re cute, little opossums; riding on Mama’s back; her tail rail, secures precious brood. They’ll grow to be lethal rats; they’ll try to eat your dog or cat and they will probably win their battle, as they have, giant shoulder chips. My Manx once tangled with opossum female and since she had little tail; great mouthfuls did her hinny make. Proud of the white upon her chest, she quickly cleaned up the mess and us, none the wiser be. For several days she laid around, our little calico clown; but she was aged and likely to do so. Around the house she trod; with no marks or blood on bod; until she could no more and it puzzled us to our cores, why she’d stopped eating. We took her off to the Vet; a virus, we surely bet and what a shock we did get, when Vet said, “Opossum’s chewed up her behind!” Surgery was our next option; because an opossum went’a‘chomp’in. In a couple of days we’d have to stop in and pick her up, once again. Listless at home, as our tabby roamed; her little sister, her ego blistered; examining tube sticking out her butt; wouldn’t leave her alone, so violent hisses and growls ensued. For days on end, our humiliated furry friend; would her long days begin, in such a moody brooding. When that tube came out, happy calico clown, like “Tigger”, bounced all around. Table to table and chair to chair she leapt and made us all shout; “Bad cat!” Nevertheless, not one thing was broken. Her sister, how she sniffed at the stitches, in her hips; our Manx finally laid down the law and let a big paw rip! Swatted Tabby was offended! The hissing, spitting fight ensued; with Tabby rolling through the room; Manx, she released such gloom and doom that made Tabby a bit smarter. Perhaps Manx’s situation, demonstrated by her jubilation, coupled with her agitation; rejuvenated her. A lively “kit”, she was again and I tell you, my Manx friend, enjoyed her newfound days again; happy that she was saved. For a while, Tabby quivered; dazed, she sat and shivered, because Manx had sent her up proverbial river. A double lesson, it had been; though Tabby did irritate Manx again; Manx from then on did engage in more careful play; but not with an opossum.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

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Wolf Avatar
October 8, 2019 at 11:00 AM
Wow! What a tale/tail! I stand warned; that's for sure. Knew that possums were dangerous, but your words have reinvigorated that knowledge in the crucible of experience. Thank you and blessings, Gershon
Kiser Avatar
October 17, 2019 at 4:54 AM
The poor cat wore a drainage tube in her rear for several weeks. The other one followed her around constantly sniffing. I was constantly hearing growls and yowls all of that time. When it came out, she was the happiest cat. Thanks.
Ibeh Avatar
October 4, 2019 at 6:07 PM
Exquisite stuff here, M.L.:-)
Kiser Avatar
October 6, 2019 at 11:33 PM
Wow, thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Proxenos Avatar
October 4, 2019 at 6:04 AM
Ohhhh shame poor kitty cat but happy she's OK - I love your last verse - it sums up your story beautifully! Hugs MLK and blessings, Jennifer.
Kiser Avatar
October 6, 2019 at 11:33 PM
Thanks again.
Mcferran Avatar
October 2, 2019 at 11:30 PM
Great tale (er, tail?)... enjoyed your witty rhymes, as always! ;)
Kiser Avatar
October 6, 2019 at 11:33 PM
I'm glad and thanks so much.
Anish Avatar
September 29, 2019 at 2:38 PM
Nice cat poem! I had a female cat named Bilbo for many years and I miss her. Peace & Love Matthew Anish
Kiser Avatar
October 2, 2019 at 11:26 AM
Great name for a cat.
Ball Avatar
September 29, 2019 at 9:22 AM
WoW! Opossums are great big rats and very dangerous. You're lucky your little cat didn't die from infection or get killed in the fight. So glad she's alright. A fine story. God Bless, JB
Kiser Avatar
October 2, 2019 at 11:27 AM
I was, as we didn't even know, she cleaned herself well and pretended that nothing was wrong. We only noticed after a couple of days when she became listless and stopped eating.
Krutsinger Avatar
September 28, 2019 at 1:56 AM
Opossums do not "play" - they get revenge. I am always thinking my dog is going to come in without a leg due to the opossum's sharp teeth. Shark, the cat is too smart to get too close to an opossum but will share a food bowl with a raccoon or a mouse before devouring it. Thanks for a great write!
Kiser Avatar
September 28, 2019 at 5:44 PM
This particular manx would take on the world if we'd have let her. Everything was play to her and I think she really believed that she could turn an enemy to a friend...talk about overconfident! Thanks.
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