A Plea To The Cat

To be fair to the robin chicks,

the sparrows and the rabbit kits,

to the naked newborn crying shrewlets,

you were once a little kitten,

who took all the chances given

by visit upon visit to the vet.

Shots of antibiotics,

hoping and finger crossing,

care like you had never known.

Prescription narcotics

at costs verging on chronic,

so you might give this life a go.

Spare a thought for the unwary,

you are a cat who grew up safely,

favoured by some overloaded dice. 

Try to live life fairly,

pick on creatures not still babies.

But, all bets are off in terms of rats and mice.

The Jay

After so many local strolls,
only so many local ways,

the children had given up hope

of stumbling on anything rare.

Then all on one path

a red squirrel, a crossbill,

and a caroling blackcap

thrilling in tuneful trills.

The best of the show

at the end of the day

was the painted crow,

the colourful jay.