My svelte bushy tailed cat, Hamilton, whose praises I laud,
leapt onto my lap and purred in a jittery fashion because,
a whiff of marked shift in daily routine,
she did pick up from my nonverbal long body waves,
each earnest habit once set in stone an absent without trace,
my darling pet so alert would detect the slightest tweak,
and spell out how the goal post now astir smelt fishy,
Hamilton, a character so utterly oozes otherworld charm,
as is the wont of divine feline species beyond limit,
and with impishness a constant in the past this pet of mine,
would latch on to each prized item as if driven to whisk them away,
that guilt free shrewd smirk infernal innocent methinks,
why me no I wouldn’t bug, irk, upset one so precious as you,
or tear at your tender heart haphazardly in an inane quest,
for nose-rubbing notice, deep bond playful jest,
as I peer in awe at that dainty trot whilst on the prowl,
a misty eyed me recalled her fond cat laugh bag of tricks,
yet to hear a taxi outside beep is a less than warm reminder,
that I must depart though unwilling from Hamilton’s grasp,
bursting into a sob as she stared from the stair top
Childlike innocence
turns stones into shiny stars
clouds into tall ships—
wonder walks barefoot through grass
where doubts, care not to follow.
Wet hands in beach sand
build castle kingdom ramparts
to defy the surf—
knowing that naivety
is a fugacious bulwark.
Morning eyes open
to greet the world, unarmoured—
as a child artist
who fears how they're growing up
will dispel their impishness.
With inspiration born from noted malcontent
I composed, dismayed at the reason to vent
In defense of poets, I am inclined to defend
I'll wear a blue dress to commend, not offend
I've been waiting for an auspicious occasion
Putting it on took not a smidge of persuasion
for there is a cause requiring a special dress
a situation with which you may acquiesce
It's been hanging in my closet for over a year
Perhaps a titch too tight and much too sheer
Not the kind of thing I often wear, I confess
Not a fashion statement; my symbolic dress
Garbed in blue silk, my sentiments are divided
for innocence and impishness have dually collided
I'm championing those who were rudely slighted
and call "foul" to the action of being shortsighted
After discovering the facts, I cried, "Oh, my gosh!
What poppycock is this disrespectful pish posh?"
No poet should be subjected to such degrading
It's never kind to disparage in a public upbraiding
I had no plan to wear a garment of blue, and yet
I've zipped it without a smattering of regret
to give a thumbs up to poets who were spurned
by an insulting rebuke that none of them earned
Take a little bit of sugar,
And a little bit of spice,
A double hand of impishness,
And a bucket of love times thrice.
Mix it all together,
Add curiosity,
And a little bit of stubborn,
Mixed with propensity.
To fudge a little now and then,
When asked what he's about,
And look up with angelic face,
Whenever he's found out.
Wrap him up and cuddle him,
And keep him safe and warm,
Until he rises up full grown,
To stand life's calms and storms.
Teach him to be humble,
Teach him to be brave,
And most important of it all,
Teach him how to pray.
Thou art enjoined to enjoyment,
Exhorted to exultation.
Thy responsibility is to be responsive,
and impishness be thy imperative.
So cherish thy good cheer,
And be not judicious in jubilation –
Rather exude exuberance,
For to revel is a revelation, and
It is on pain of death that
That thou art commanded to Live!
HOW TO MAKE A MAN
Take a little bit of sugar,
and a little bit of spice,
A double hand of impishness,
And a bucket of love, times thrice.
Mix it all together,
Add curiosity,
And a little bit of stubborn,
Mixed with propensity,
To fudge a little now and then,
When asked what he's about,
And look up with angelic face,
Whenever he's found out.
Wrap him up and cuddle him,
And keep him safe and warm,
Until he rises up full grown,
To stand life's calms and storms.
Teach him to be humble,
Teach him to be brave,
And most important of it all,
Teach him how to pray.
Judy Ball
"BUT JESUS SAID,'SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME AND DO NOT
HINDER THEM, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS TO SUCH AS THESE."
Matthew 19:14
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