[HerenIstarion]

The fat cat on the mat
may seem to dream
of nice mice that suffice
for him, or cream;
but he free, maybe,
walks in thought
unbowed, proud, where loud
roared and fought
his kin, lean and slim,
or deep in den
in the East feasted on beasts
and tender men.
The giant lion with iron
claw in paw,
and huge ruthless tooth
in gory jaw;
the paid dark-starred,
fleet upon feet,
that oft soft from aloft
leaps on his meat
where woods loom in gloom-
far now they be,
fierce and free,
and tamed is he;
but fat cat on the mat
kept as a pet,
he does not forget.


*********************************


Though mice feed on rice
And may look for a nook
For the paw to go
And the hook to rook
But they fly on high
In their dreams
To the dark to hark
Silent screams
To where bats knit and tat
Or upside on the bough
In angle tangle go dangle
Leather wings to sough
Trough the air with dare
Glide and slide
Hunting moth and bug
Pip and gride
Up and down they yaw
Eat no seed
Things they are on wings
Not on feet!
Where twig'n'leaf no reef
For them ever form
Though their home be worm
And by day they dorm
Though they feed on rice
Kept in barn, still mice
Dream of flight by night!