Poem by Anna Laetitia Waring

To the Superior Animal

  To sum up all, I'm old — and that's
      A fact the years decide;
  It is a common thing with cats
      And not a thing to hide.

  But to feel what it is — how kind
      How true to love and law
  For this you must be quite resigned
      And not avoid its paw.

  It does not come as reckless foe
      A shrinking prey to take,
  But with soft footstep that we know
      By comfort in its wake.

  Though it spoils something — that is true,
      Which we must learn to lack
  And takes alike from me and you
      What never does come back.

  It caters for our failing strength
      In many a dainty scrap,
  And gently lays us at our length
      In some secluded lap.

  It may bless you — (I think it should)
      Beyond what I make out,
  With things perhaps too great and good
      For cats to talk about.

  Since I find in it blessing free
      From all it can destroy,
  And so its progress is to me
      A miracle of joy.

  But my look out to occupy
      And make the most of that.
  You must be quite as old as I,
      If not yourself a Cat!

1. Go Not Far from Me, O My God
2. My Heart Is Resting, O My God
3. Jesus, Lord of Heaven above
4. Sweet Is the Solace of Thy Love
5. O, This Is Blessing, This Is Rest

Print

1302 Views

Last Poems

To Russian version