Bingsley: Carol's Cat
Was he passing a baton my way that Friday, his last dawn, last day
in flesh that felt? The poet in me thinks that’s so, for barely had I
gained the door of Carol’s home (addressed my chair) when Bingsley made his pres-
ence known. I’d been warned not to hope for much, but taking stock, nosed agent,
the extended hand I’d offered him and got ears rubbed! ‘Guys’ struck a deal!
An animal that’s loved gives love that doesn’t scheme, anticipate meal.
Bingsley met approach and then averted gaze from family, turned back
(sprawled out on floor) as if to say, “I know it’s bad, but please don’t worry.
It’s just life!” as we discussed the vet’s planned visit we had scheduled. Cat
respect was soul intention as, in Carol’s lap - time’s arrow (1) hit ground!
Like a prince, whole life, he reigned - so free! No cat mews for democracy.
You want to rub their ears. Most game! Attention’s gone – cat’s off! Should they cry?
Ring-tailed, two-tone mottled cat, distinguished ‘lad,’ one ‘stone’ (2) plus some, dark fez-
crowned head, white body, splashed burnt-orange (tail and back), not blank (some parchment
God has trashed). A cat, dyed whole in can, needs something, a spark! Truth is such!
Though Bingsley liked ‘world seen through glass,’ in Carol’s home was warmth one could touch!
‘Freedom cats enjoy’ is what man envies most (when prejudice lacks track).
A cat skates by as if immune. ‘Truth Is,’ it is! Cat dreams are blurry,
not that focused - opportune. What feels good’s fine! (Are we OK with that?)
Though fools on a hill watching sun’s arc grok that their world spins round and round. (3)
For my dear friend Carol Clarke
Brian Johnston
24th of September in 2022
Poet’s Notes:
A color-coded poem where red syllables are accented as in ‘Beary Tales’ and blue and green coded syllables are softer. Each line has seventeen syllables with the poem’s strict meter of “/---" repeating exactly in both of its two stanzas.
(1) Time’s Arrow – Time flows only in one direction, like an arrow!
(2) One “Stone” – British measure of weight (about 14 pounds)!
(3) “The fool on the hill…” A paraphrase of the famous Beatle’s song!
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