Ragamuffin Cat

don’t look at me as though
I were a ragamuffin cat
I know my fur is matted
and my eyes are runny

my ears are ragged
and my tail is stubby
but in my early life
I was a handsome cat

once I had a mistress
who cared for me
a warm home
lots of food

she married a yokel
who hated me
kicked me
punished me

one day he put me in a box
drove out to the country
abandoned me in the snow
by the side of the road

soon it was dark
with lots of strange noises
I was hungry and my body
shivered with pain from the cold

my ears and my tail
soon became numb
I licked my paws
to try to keep warm

the next morning
huge black birds
circled overhead
then stalked me on the ground

some humans found me
by the side of the road
and brought me
to the shelter

now I live in a cage in a room
with other cats and dogs
my tummy is full
but I’m all alone

people stop to stare at me
laugh at my funny ears
then pass me by
for other animals who look better

maybe some day someone
will take a second look at me
all I want
is a new forever home


c2009