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Cat Poetry: Ancient Cat Poems

By T.S. Poetry 7 Comments

Many fine cat poems focus on the easily-discernable. The ways of cats. Their postures and attitudes. But cats have a long history that can be plumbed and poeticized—from Egypt to China, Greece to Japan.

Poetry Prompt

Do a little research on the history of cats and human culture. Take us beyond the window seat (though that’s a fine place for a cat and a poem), and treat us to a cat poem with some details we wouldn’t have guessed.

Thanks to our participants in last week’s poetry prompt. Here’s a recent cat poem we enjoyed from Richard…

This Is Just To Purr

—after W.C. Williams

I have toppled
the dish
that was in
the kitchen

and what
I am telling you
clearly
more salmon

Don’t give me
Nine Lives anything
so dry
and so bland

—Richard Maxson

Photo by Eye of Einstein, Creative Commons, via Flickr.

______

Sometimes we feature your poems in Every Day Poems, with your permission of course. Thanks for writing with us!

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Helping you get inspired. With poetry & poetic things.
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Filed Under: Animal Poems, Blog, Cat Poems, Funny Poems, Humorous Poems, Poems, poetry, poetry teaching resources, Themed Writing Projects, writing prompts

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Comments

  1. Maureen Doallas says

    November 25, 2013 at 11:00 am

    Tasty treat, Richard.

    Reply
    • Richard Maxson says

      November 28, 2013 at 8:51 am

      Thanks, Maureen

      Reply
  2. Richard Maxson says

    November 28, 2013 at 8:51 am

    Thanks for posting my poem.

    Reply
  3. Richard Maxson says

    November 28, 2013 at 8:55 am

    This one may be a little too didactic, but here goes.
    ********

    Sakhmet

    These are my markings,
    a map of cul de’ sacs
    that leave you stranded
    in a wild evening, listening
    for what you imagine of me.
    Don’t look in my face expecting
    the fashioned gaze of a doll;
    cat’s eyes are narrow gates
    to inscrutable yesterdays;

    I see you through the blue ice—
    innate and tempered—
    that I survived, my lives
    of nine millennia, relics
    in palatable softness with claws,
    Re’s daughter, the fetching queen,
    guardian of the sun. Call Bes
    if you want a mouse catcher;
    you can call me…interesting.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Night Poetry: Playlist and Prompt | says:
    December 2, 2013 at 8:00 am

    […] to our participants in last week’s poetry prompt. Here’s a recent fun little poem we enjoyed from […]

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  2. Literary Tours: Rex Hausmann's Max-a-mal Exhibit at The Cody Center | says:
    January 3, 2014 at 8:02 am

    […] is the viewer and their past. In that dance there is is a lot of space—and like the Cheshire cat says [to Alice], ‘If you only walk long enough,’ you will get to where you are […]

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  3. Art Challenge – Ancient Egypt | Home Education Art Academy says:
    November 23, 2015 at 7:49 am

    […] Cat Poetry […]

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