Cat Haiku

(See bottom of page for references to more cat haiku)

Far off, cat spots bird Careful steps, intense focus Don't let bird escape Grace personified, I leap into the window. I meant to do that. Blur of motion, then -- Silence, me, a paper bag. What is so funny? The mighty hunter Returns with gifts of plump birds -- Your foot just squashed one You're always typing. Well, let's see you ignore my Sitting on your hands. My small cardboard box. You cannot see me if I Can hide my head. You never feed me. Perhaps I'll sleep on your face. That will show you. You must scratch me there! Yes, above my tail! Behold, Elevator butt. I need a new toy. Tail of black dog keeps good time. Pounce! good dog! good dog! The rule for today: Touch my tail, I shred your hand. New rule tomorrow. In deep sleep hear sound Cat throwup hairball somewhere Will find in morning		Terrible battle. I fought for hours. Come and see! What's a 'term paper'? Small brave carnivores Kill pine cones and mosquitoes Fear vacuum cleaner I want to be close To you. Can I fit my head inside your armpit? Want to go outside. Oh, no! Help! I got outside! Let me back inside! Oh no! Big One has been trapped by newspaper! Cat to the rescue! Want to trim my claws? Don't even think about it! My cries will wake dead. Humans are so strange. Mine lies still in bed, then screams! My claws aren't that sharp ... Cats meow out of angst "Thumbs! If only we had thumbs! We could break so much!" Litter box not here You must have moved it again I'll go in the sink. The Big Ones snore now Every room is dark and cold Time for "Cup Hockey" We're almost equals I purr to show I love you Want to smell my butt?

More

Cat Haiku
Deborah Coates; Sandra Bruce (Illustrator); 2001
ISBN: 0446677507 Buy from Barnes&Noble.com

Catnips a Book of Haiku on Cats
Joseph Gustafson; Margaret T R. Richter (Illustrator); 1984
ISBN: 0962031313
out of print

In the Eyes of the Cat: Japanese Poetry for All Seasons
T. Huang; Tze-Si Huang (Translator); 1994
ISBN: 0805033831
out of print

vlb@cfcl.com.