The Cat and the Chipmunk
In the window Cat sits and stares,
Watching with all of her, every last hair,
Striving to kill with wanting and glares.
Chipmunk loiters in the dewy grass,
Nibbling an acorn, making it last,
Knowing, for certain, that cat’s behind glass.
All week I’ve been reading from the gorgeous Book of Animal Poetry edited by J. Patrick Lewis and published by National Geographic. I’ve been strangely drawn to the poems structured in tercets. I’m not sure if this has deep psychological significance or if I’m just attracted to a form I haven’t used much. In any case I have been experimenting all week and today I have posted my own animal poem in tercets.
For more Poetry Friday see Linda at TeacherDance.
(c) 2012 Elizabeth Ehrenfest Steinglass, all rights reserved
Oh, Liz – this is delightful! Killer last line.
We have a rather bold squirrel who similarly torments our downstairs cat through the sliding glass door.
I love your experiments – keep experimenting! :0)
These are fabulous! You know I favor lines of three. You have absolutely captured the energy and tension of that pair. Good job!
Such fun! That last line is marvelous.
I always said chipmunks are smarter than they look; good job!
Matt–wouldn’t they have to be?!
I really love the two perspectives. Great job!
we had squirrels who baited our dog often, with the dog at the bottom of the tree, & the squirrel up just so high. Your poem reminded me of the stealthiness of animals’ survival skills. Beautifully told, Liz.
Experimenting with poetry and its forms is always the best. I can’t be disciplined enough to follow a certain form – with my words and lines all over the place – so I admire your tenacity in keeping to a structured tercet. Very nice animal poem! Love the photo of your cat.
Oh,boy, your poem reminded me of my cat and her chipmunk “friend”. I think you chose the perfect form too!
I’ll share this poem with my big orange cat, William. He’ll relate.
🙂
If I were a chipmunk and that cat was looking at me, I’d want to be pretty confident it was behind glass! Looks fierce 🙂 Great idea, using tercets.
Love the poem and the photo. You are really making so amazing work.
Loriann,
Thanks for stopping by and for commenting.
I really appreciate it,
Liz