CAT-LIFE.
Reading edition
Lucy Larcom.
DOZING, and dozing, and dozing! Pleasant enough, Dreaming of sweet cream and mouse-meat,— Delicate stuff! Of raids on the pantry and hen-coop, Or light, stealthy tread Of cat-gossips, meeting by moonlight On a ridge-pole or shed. Waked by a somerset, whirling From cushion to floor; Waked to a wild rush for safety From window to door. Waking to hands that first smooth us, And then pull our tails; Punished with slaps when we show them The length of our nails! These big mortal tyrants even grudge us A place on the mat. Do they think we enjoy for our music Staccatoes of “scat?” What in the world were we made for? Man, do you know? By you to be petted, tormented?— Are you friend or foe? To be treated, now, just as you treat us,— The question is pat,— To take just our chances of living, Would you be a cat?