The View From The Back of the Couch
“Jubilate Agno” (Rejoice in the Lamb) is a poem by an 18th century poet (whom some called a madman), Christopher Smart. It is over 1200 lines long! He adapted the exalted form of the responsive readings in the Anglican Church liturgy to write, in part, about an ordinary subject, his cat, Geoffrey. I have excerpted some of this fantastic poem. I have yet to find it in its entirety, on the Web or elsewhere:
By T.S. Eliot The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter, It isn’t just one of your holiday games; You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES. First of all, there’s the name that the family use daily, Such as Peter, …
By Wislawa Szymborska Die—you can’t do that to a cat. Since what can a cat do in an empty apartment? Climb the walls? Rub up against the furniture? Nothing seems different here, but nothing is the same. Nothing has been moved, but there’s more space. And at nighttime no lamps are lit. Footsteps on the …
Whoever made the stars that shine, Whoever made green trees of pine, Whoever dreamed up fish and mice, Or sun and rain and snow and ice, Must have the power in His paws To help when there's a worthy cause. Whoever gave the birds a nest Will grant this humble cat's request. For needy felines everywhere, I meow my little Christmas prayer. Please heal the sick And cheer the sad, Forgive the naughty, and excuse the bad. One more simple thing I ask: A pool of sunlight in which to bask, Plus a plate of food, A safe, warm house, A loving lap, a catnip mouse. Freedom from fleas, furballs, and mats, And homes for all the homeless cats.
[From A Cat’s Christmas – Stefanie Samek]