The Cat’s Ankle is a series of observations on life from the ridiculous to the mundane to the sublime. Young love, old love; frustration; friendship; failure and success, all are touched upon. It is a reverie and a dissertation. Sometimes respectful, sometimes irreverent. There are songs of patriotism and poems of pathos. Words to die by and dreams to live for. Through poem and song, snippet and story the authors show life for the glorious muddle it is.
Excerpt
THE CATS ANKLE
I walk hobbled by arthritis
In the ankle you use as a pillow;
Afraid to move in bed
For fear of disturbing you.
I wake from sound sleep
With you demanding food.
As if hunger has ever been part of your diet.
I watch you bravely scaring squirrels
On the other side of the window
And hissing at impertinent sparrows
In the tree outside the glass.
I read the dreary news
Until you swat away the paper
Demanding attention.
It is all about you after all!
Then, in the chaos you created,
You sleep in the sunbeam,
Merely moving with its turns
And taking its warmth as your due.
Could it be
You really do know more than me?
I haven't bought this book of poetry yet, but after reading Peter J. Benson's wry and delightful excerpt, "The Cat's Ankle", I shall be tempted to do so.
His book is described as 'a collection of observations', and "The Cat's Ankle" is definitely an observation on possessing a demanding pet, in this poem, a cat who is obviously much loved.
Peter J. Benson writes well, and his slightly sardonic ode to his cat is relevant to the majority of animal lovers, who are willing slaves to their non-human companions.
Early Works is an exhaustive compilation of the first decade of the poems and stories of Z.B.McClure. Included are family photos, rare personal photos, photos of 1st draft manuscripts of many of his early poems. Also some biography and memoir materia
My book of poetry is being redone by me, I have a beautiful cover designed and the book will have a few more than 200 poems in it. I am going to have it printed on demand here in Canada. When it is done I will let you know when it is done and if anyo
