Barnyard Cat

THE LEGEND GOES
THAT ON CHRISTMAS DAY
THE BABY LAY SHIVERING
AND FUSSING

THE STABLE WAS COLD
IT HAD NO HEAT

THE PARENTS HAD DONE WHAT THEY COULD

YOU CAN ONLY CARRY SO MUCH
ON FOOT
FROM NAZARETH TO BETHLEHEM

WHEN AN ALLEY CAT
AN ORDINARY TABBY
A MOUSER
A STABLE DWELLER

JUMPED IN THE FEED BOX

STARTLED THE PARENTS
MADE TO SHOO IT
BUT STOPPED
THE BABY WAS SLEEPING
THE CAT WAS PURRING
AND LENDING BODY WARMTH

IT STAYED WITH THE BABY
AS LONG AS THEY STAYED IN THE STABLE

WHEN THEY WERE READY TO LEAVE
MARY PETTED THE CAT

THANKED IT FOR ITS SERVICE
AND LEFT THE LETTER M
ON ITS FACE

TWO VERTICAL LINES
UNDER ITS EYES
AND A V
OVER ITS NOSE

MANY CATS TODAY
CARRY THE MARK

A REMINDER
THOSE CHILDREN
ARE STILL COLD

THAT IF AN ANIMAL COULD HELP
AN ORDINARY BARNYARD TABBY
WHY NOT HUMANS

FRANK A VOLLMER