The Cat Poem by Thoughts of a Single Man

I sat there in my study

Pondering what would be

As the sky became so muddy

As the rain came pouring down



You see some label me a poet

though at times I rarely show it

And at times I do not know it

When the words do not abound



Each day when it comes to a close

I recall my regrets and many woes

And sink myself into the lather of prose

For it helps me pass the time



Yet tonight seemed different in some way

For I had not found a word to say

So I turned my gaze to the skies so grey

Searching for a sign



I glanced back upon the empty page

Amidst the frustrations of trickles of rage

Trying to shift the mental gauge

That would release my conceiving mind



And then I heard the strangest sound

And began to look all around

But nothing amiss that could be found

And I felt the faintest chill


And then I heard it again the same

I raised the light of the candle flame

And saw a cat outside my pane

sitting on the window sill

scratching at the glass

scratching at the glass

as the moments slowly passed

upon my window sill


I can hear him still


I made a motion for him to shoo

As most normal people in that postilion would do

But yet he sat and did not move

His form or that unblinking stare


He looked at me I looked at him

And I felt a stirring deep within

And so I made the gesture once again

And then rose up from my chair



I banged on the window for it to scat

But it did not budge this troublsomew cat

And began to wonder what I was looking at

An animal so profoundly bold


We sat there looking at each other for the longest time

Our vision locked in a perfect lime

I felt that he was creeping inside my mind

Leaving his paw prints on my soul


And then there was the thunder crash

And I saw the lightning flash

And he disappeared from beyond the glass

And ended this test of will


And then I heard it again the same

I raised the light of the candle flame

And saw a cat outside my pane

sitting on the window sill

scratching at the glass

scratching at the glass

as the moments slowly passed

upon my window sill


I can hear him still


So i closed the curtains nice and tight

And blew out my candles' light

And decided to retire for the night

And write another day


I grabbed myself a bite eat

And slipped in my bed beneath the sheets

And felt a strange warmth about my feet

Just before I drifted away


So I opend up my weary eyes

And there before me to my surprise

Was the feline with his probing eyes

Walking up my trembling frame



And as it it sat upon my heaving chest

I wondered was it there to steal my breath

Until I had no more of it left

Or was I going insane



It sat there on me in my bed

And then it lowered its wicked head

And hissed something I am sure it must have said

For it looked like it was trying to speak


This was not a cat that liked to purr

For the next thing I saw was a moving blur

Of sharpened claws and silken fur

As it scratched me on my cheek



So I flung it from me and it was gone

And it must have been so very strong

For as I ran my hand along

My face I felt a wound so deep


How did it get in through my locked door

Why did I not hear it on the floor

Well I shan't be bothered any more

I cleaned my face with water and a cloth



I did one final check about the house

And once I made sure there was no doubt

that that hideous feline was surly out

I went back to bed and drifted off



I was awakened from my deepened sleep

And rose with hand upon my cheek

And gazed at the window in disbelief

As I sat in the shadows dark and still


And then I heard it again the same

I raised the light of the candle flame

And saw a cat outside my pane

sitting on the window sill

scratching at the glass

scratching at the glass

as the moments slowly passed

upon my window sill


I can hear him still



Another flash and the recurring scene

That cat was gone what did this mean

Was I in the midst of a nightmarish dream

Of was I destined to wage this fight


I went on into another room

And realized oh so very soon

That is was there just beyond the light of the moon

For it's eyes glowed in the darkened night


Then I hear a screeching cry

And it leapt in the air as if it could fly

And scratched me once again beneath my eye

And swiftly ran away


Now I was angered by this time

How dare it come into this house of mine

I must dispatch this devilish feline

I heard myself clearly myself say



I looked all about from floor to roof

But it was gone as if there had been no proof

And then I began to learn the truth

Of what was happening to me



I believe this cat it was solemn sign

Of my life and wasted time

The sins that plagued my soul and mind

Reflections only I could see


Perhaps I had done too much wrong

And that is why I sing the saddest song

And have been alone for so very long

Such a hard swallowed pill


And then I heard it again the same

I raised the light of the candle flame

And saw a cat outside my pane

sitting on the window sill

scratching at the glass

scratching at the glass

as the moments slowly passed

upon my window sill


I can hear him still



This time I sat there and shook my head

As if I understood every word it said

And I wept at the side of my empty bed

And released all of all my pain


I know that I am a noble, man

But decisions can turn the blessed to damned

And now at last I could understand

And then a heard someone call my name



I looked up and the cat was before my face

And yet I did not react in haste

For all my dankness had been erased

As it touched me so very gently with it's paw



It said that we all make our mistakes

What would happen tomorrow if you did not wake

Would you blame it on an act of fate

And then it jumped nimbly to the floor



It said I have nine lives to lose

I have nine paths that I could choose

If you were me how many have you have already used

Or would this one be your last



You still have time to make amends

To find life love family and friend

Why do you think you are healed with that pen

So many questions often asked


I felt my face and the scars were healed

As if by magic the wounds had been sealed

As I was left exposed with my layers peeled

And I began to smile



Perhaps there was some hope after all

And the past is not something I must recall

For my future has not been written on the wall

For I controlled it all the while



I found paper and pen and began to write

All throughout that rainy night

As endless words fell before my sight

Until my ledger had had its fill


And then I heard it again the same

I raised the light of the candle flame

And saw a cat outside my pane

sitting on the window sill

scratching at the glass

scratching at the glass

as the moments slowly passed

upon my window sill


I can hear him still


And so now I see the coming darn

Breaking as the day is spawned

And feel so calm and sweetly warmed

As I began to breathe


For perhaps we all deserve a second chance

Who do not look at themselves in a passing glance

Who believe in love and life's romance

And the navigation of Cupid's bow



For those of us with the tortured soul

Who walk the road in the bitter cold

Who still have a story to be told

And who still has time to grow



So my words come to me now in endless waves

For I know that I have been saved

And I am no longer am afraid

And have faith in my strength and will


And to think I may have gone on brokenhearted

Unless that night had truly started

Before that visitor and I so sweetly parted

I may not write now with such a thrill



And then I heard it again the same

I raised the light of the candle flame

And saw a cat outside my pane

sitting on the window sill

scratching at the glass

scratching at the glass

as the moments slowly passed

upon my window sill


I can hear him still


Thoughts of a Single Man 2012 tm