ebony like a puma, velvet pretty
she prowls and growls and moans in her sleep
like a little black dress, fashionably chic and insightful
there is purring now, her dreams might have shifted
the toms in the alley remain in hiding, fearful
she can be such a tease, and sometimes a torment
her scratches are serious; she is not afraid to bite
the howling and growling is back
alley cat of Allentown
The accordion is my instrument of choice.
This was stated by striped blue cat Joyce.
My brother Adley is on the cymbals, nice and loud.
Cousin Zaney plays the violin, he has a classical crowd.
I asked, What kind of music do you like the best?
Bluegrass, rock and roll, classical and all the rest.
We are bongo playing cats too, said my friend Joyce.
Come on down to the Cat Shack Alley and we’ll give you your choice.
So I went to the Cat Shack Alley where they were grooving.
My hips and my feet never could stop moving.
I was dancing up a storm, landing on a table top.
The diners there finally had to beg me to stop.
I am tired of not being hugged,
my owner moved and left me behind,
searching for a roof over my head,
dreaming of a soft and comfy bed.
I'm singing the alley cat blues.
One time I was pampered and ate like a queen,
gourmet cans filled with fancy fish treats,
enjoyed taking a nap on a floral wing back chair,
content like a bear in its private and cozy lair.
Now I am a beggar going door to door,
meowing in different pitches to be heard,
some of the neighbors feel sorry for me,
leaving scrapes of supper for free.
I'm singing the alley cat blues.
ALLEY CAT
The city alley kitten is fire boned
body electrified in barbed wire fur
snarling ferocious wild fear bigger
than its raging dot of an existence
hissed from behind garbage cans
at this naïve boy also determined
to make this kitten a pet upstairs
in our three room cold water flat
armed with a trapper’s cardboard
box trap and work gloved hands
I did snag the little hell fire fur ball
and then spent the next pain days
upstairs with my step father’s help
again trying to get at the tiny fire
beast now out from under the tub
and soon a scratched denouement
fire ball kitty gloved back in its alley
dark and trashy and I nursing a fang
bit clear through the thick work gloves
into my thumb nail to keep the lesson
about allowing wild things to be wild
Charles Eastland
from Amazon Kindle eBook: The Car Has Ears
The storm thrashed the sides of the house
trees bend to touch the ground
rain drops fall heavily on fragile leaves
gutters fill to overflowing
spilling its slobber onto the dry streets
Midnight clouds give no cover to exposed hearts
burdened with an intense need for a dose of love,
but there is always the promise of her door opening
and the welcoming fragrance of roses and gardenias
Colorful flowers sprinkled in her golden hair greet me
poured in her satin, body hugging tiny dress
she stirs my fires already lit
I seek the warmth of the bright hue in her soft green eyes
She appears like a lover’s promise in spring,
but promises are just like dreams, misleading fantasies
my assurances are unable to compete with my past lies
and hunger for sex speeches don't persuade
I hear the same tired sounds of rejection
words I know so well
the darkness of midnight invites me
to move on to seek satisfaction elsewhere …
Alley Cat, Alley cat
Alley cat, alley cat
Can you imagine that?
A black skunk crossed your path,
And that's a fact, is that a flash?
Of another smelly cat, smelly cat
Can you really imagine that?
That smelly cat fought the skunk
Now smelly cat looks like a punk,
The cat's fur is spiked up in the air
And can't get it down without nipping
Touched its fur his eyes bulged out
When he tasted the skunks snout
Now ain't that just pure dandy,
The Alley cat got punked by a
damn smelly skunk,
Make sure you call 911, call Mandy.
Written sometime in 2014
Alley Cat, Alley Cat
Alley cat, alley cat
Can you imagine that?
A black skunk crossed your path,
And that’s a fact, is that a flash?
Of another smelly cat, smelly cat
Can you imagine that?
That smelly cat fought the skunk
Now smelly cat looks like it got punked.
The cat’s fur is spiked up in the air quipping
And can’t get it down without nipping
Touched its fur now his eyes are bulged out
When he tasted the skunks snout
Now ain’t that just pure dandy?
The alley cat got punked by a dang
Smelly skunk
Make sure you call 911: Call Mandy.
Written: Sept. 15, 2014
Theresa Marie
once there was a girl
with big green eyes
yet before the sun
was fully seen,
(big surprise) someone
unfurled the girl-
what more- what poor
poor innocent soul
who suffered the toll
some body stole.
how sweet it was-
remeet me cuz
i'm gone. so smart
such great potential-
starving artist (seemingly
essential) make me
what you want to
see; i'll be whoever,
i'll do it with glee,
(when i cannot see)
i trust you- you
lust me- i'm confused
until you teach me,
burst in, breaching my
little brim. no matter,
come in! come in!
it isn't i who commits
the sin-
not i, i couldn't even see in.
so much for growth, the
more sparks, the more it
distorts- creates distinct
pieces. stored in creases of
my skin oblivious, content
with the innate terror.
i'm a blinking VACANCY- what
you see __ whatever you
please. sit, stay- shut up &
lie complacent; don't cry-
don't choke on the chain. nothing
in life is fair- come one- come
all, ride this- ride that
(all the while he sat,
cleaning himself like an
alley cat)