Notes from a parish cat and his author Julie Mackenzie

My photo
I am Father Tom Fish, esteemed member of the religious team at Temptation of Christ Parish in the novels by author Julie Mackenzie. As to my background, I was invited into the rectory as a stray, laid on the charm, and was invited to stay, even honorarily ordained and no less spiritual than my sidekick Father Will. He dotes on me to high heaven and forgives all of my street cat proclivities, whatever the hell that means.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Wordy Wednesday: Happy Halloween!


 One of my favorite poets from childhood was Ogden Nash. He wrote funny lines about anything and everything. 

Like this one:

FLEAS

Adam
Had 'em.







On this Halloween, Tom has allowed me to share a poem I wrote when we had no power. I had just finished a task that no high winds, disaster, or anything else would ever interrupt and that is cleaning out the cat box. 

CLEANING CAT BOXES BY FLASHLIGHT

Oh, desert-like mounds
  in shadow and light
Hiding your treasures
  best as you might.

We sift through the grains
  to find leavings in store
Scooping the pooping
  by flashlight is more
Exciting than winning the lottery?
When we're cleaning and tilling the "pottery?"

Then all is darkness
  as the light is no more
Once again that scritch-scratching
  a sound we deplore

When our power returns
  and things are as they were
You'll find us scooping the pooping
  for our royalty in fur.

Well, you have to make light of our lot in life, my friends, no pun intended..

Hope you enjoyed our treat!

Happy Halloween!

--Mom Julie, Tom, Mitty, Tinker and Anastasia

38 comments:

Brian's Home Blog said...

That was a terrific poem!!! Happy Halloween from all of us!!!

Mariodacat said...

That was a beautiful poem and we so happy you shared it with us. Happy spooky day.

CATachresis said...

That certainly painted the picture!! MOL :)

Seville at Nerissa's Life said...

That's a WONDERFUL poem! Bet it was tough cleaning out that litter box with the flashlight, huh? My peep is cringin' at the thought. purrs

Hannah and Lucy said...

Mum was laughing at your poem but said scooping by flashlight must be better that scooping by feel!!
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

Fr. Tom Fish said...

Hannah & Lucy,
Then it would be my turn to grab the flashy box!

==Tom

The Paw Relations said...

Great poem!

Happy Halloween, we hope you get lots of treats

We love LUNA said...

wow I love poems and this one is very special, thanks so much for this adorable post!
Love to you all
and Happy Halloween!
Luna - WE LOVE LUNA and hugs from mammy Léia

Cat said...

Super poem :-) Happy Halloween friends!!!

meowmeowmans said...

Wonderful imagery! We almost felt like we were there! :)

Happy Halloween, sweet pals.

Kevin, Tracey, Sammy and Moosey

cats of wildcat woods said...

Good one - we wrote one too - come see. Happy Halloween.

cats of wildcat woods

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

that is too funny!

Colehaus Cats said...

Mom and the Dad loved the poem (even if the Dad was cringing a bit). We liked the last line best of all! Purrs for a Happy Halloween to you!

Ann Boyajian said...

Your poem painted the scene so vividly.......... ha ha ha!!

Marilia said...

Happy Halloween!

Sparkle said...

That poem RULED!

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Love the poem..Happy Halloween Hugs GJ xx

Kat said...

We love the poem! Have a happy howl-o-ween friends! kisses and purrs and headbonks
Sherlock, Ash and Traveler

Andrea and the Celestial Kitties said...

Oh my gosh, awesome poem! Sorry you had to scoop by flashlight.. but thankfully it wasn't by candle light! We hope you are all ok and have lights and all again!

The Island Cats said...

That is a great poem...and we're so glad you weathered the storm. Happy MEOW-loween!

Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal said...

LOVE the poem <3
Happy Halloween :)

Sweet Purrfections said...

Our mom is shivering in fear as she thinks of the possibility of cleaning the litterbox by flashlight.

We hope your Halloween is filled with lots of treats!

Truffle and Brulee

Mary said...

Fabulous poem! Love it. The description is super accurate, and.. creative! lol. Happy witches and goblins day to you too. :D

Tamago said...

Oh we love the poem!
We wish you a happy and treat-filled Halloween!

Cathy Keisha said...

What a great poem, unlike the boring stuff that TW writes about. Glad you have your power back. Happy Halloween! Stay safe.

Kwee Cats and Art said...

Oh! Ha-ha, hee-hee :-) We loved the poem! Those of us so tasked, share in your plight. Happy Halloween guys!

Hugs and BOO!

Shaggy and Scout said...

Ahhh... excellent poetry comes from a life lived in all types of circumstances. One never knows when a poem will hit. Or the odor from the cat box....

Unknown said...

Oh.my.gosh. I hadn't heard the 'fleas' poem in decades. Thanks so much for the blast from the past. And, I SO loved your po-hum, too☺.

Clooney said...

Oh theese one is a good one! Most excellent poem Mom Julie! Happy Halloween kitties, did you do lots of trick and treating, I hope so! On the subject of roman collars, I bet you would get lots of good goodies in your pillowcase Father Tom...I think I needs to partner-up with you next year...

Your buddy Cloon

Cara n Crew said...

love the poem! litterbox scooping has to be a great constant in life :) Happy Howloween! purrs,

Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie

Angel MoMo and Charlotte said...

We enjoy you poem, as fellow cats and cat lovers.

Thanks for coming by to help Charlotte celebrate Halloween. Poor kitty is missing her mom.

Marg said...

Great poem. I have a big picture of cleaning the litter box in the dark. That would be quite a feat. Well done.

Angel Gracie=^o.o^= said...

Great poem. Are you going to get a book published?
Thanks for coming to the Halloween/Fall party at the Tabby Cat Club. Always fun to see you. Hope you made it home safely. Remember what happened at the party stays at the party.

Saku said...

Great poem..thanks for sharing!

The Furries of Whisppy said...

Hahaha! That poem made Mommy laugh and laugh!

GLOGIRLY said...

Best. Litter. Box. Poem. Ever.
That was SO clever....really loved it!

I better go make some rhymes of my own. Katie's giving me the 'look.'

; ) Glogirly

Gigi said...

Ha ha ha! Great litter box poem!! Which reminds me....

Oh, and Happy (slightly belated) Halloween!

Sage said...

Haha! Love your poem and how true! Mom won't let me near my kittehs litter box. She's afraid I'd help her clean it....