A Long Tail (A Poem)

Puss slipped out of the cat flap
on a chilly winter’s day
She didn’t seem that bothered
and she didn’t want to play

She prowled around the garden
on the lookout for some prey
she chased the local tomcat
who refused to go away

She ducked below the side gate
and sidled ’round the front
I called her back with treats
but she was out there on the hunt

Puss wouldn’t come indoors again
She was having too much fun
I watched her scooting up the tree
Her game had just begun

At least there were no birds yet
as it was early in the year
I saw her climb back down again
without an ounce of fear

I called her once and once again
but she didn’t want to know
She didn’t seem to mind at all
that it had just begun to snow

I thought I’d leave her to it
She’d come back soon enough
but just ten minutes later
she dragged in a ball of fluff

I chased her ‘round the kitchen
and all around the hall
whatever she had caught
was minute, so very small

Eventually, she dropped it
It was a tiny little mouse
A baby, by the look of it
but running around the house

I picked up puss to move her
She tried to scratch and bite
I was ruining her fun
and she was up for a fight

I shut the door so quickly
and with her out of the way
I picked up little mouse
so he could live another day

But he had a wonky leg
I wasn’t sure what to do
My friend called for his death
by flushing him down the loo!

Horrified, I shouted, ‘no!’
He wasn’t going to die
I wanted him to have a chance
The poor, frightened little guy

I called the wildlife centre
They said they would call around
I popped the mouse into a box
and he made a squeaking sound

I knew that he would make it
Just needed some attention
A vet’s care and some love and fuss
and that was my intention

And puss was not impressed
and had not an ounce of shame
She slunk off to her bed
because I’d spoilt her little game.

Photo by Katherine Mihailova: https://www.pexels.com






Travelling in Style!

Travelling in style!!

I thought yesterday was thwart with difficulties. Today, I really did it in style! I’d just travelled down to town in Alfie, my new electric powerchair when I started to feel out of kilter. Uh, oh, I’d had this feeling before. I immediately looked over Alfie, only to discover two completely flat rear tyres! Not again … the last time this happened, I was on the end of the longest pier in the world at Southend-on-Sea! It’s 2.16 kilometres! You can read this here – Sunnier Climes – Part 2 – The Pier.

I was sitting outside M&S (Marks & Spencer) – a big chain store, especially in the UK. I needed assistance, so I limped slowly into the entrance to attract a store assistant. I could feel the rims scraping the ground with every limping inch. Ouch. I just managed to get inside the door out of the hot, bright sun. Fortunately, I have a rescue service as part of my lease contract for such occasions; I phoned them to be told they would be with me as soon as they could.

An hour later, still waiting, I was getting cold as I’d only managed to drive as far as the freezer cabinets by the door. I hadn’t thought to bring a jacket on such a beautiful day. A lovely assistant approached me and asked if I’d like a hot drink. She came back with a coffee. She also picked up a vegan sandwich for me. I was hungry by then. As the hours were ticking away, I was getting very cold, so they gave me one of the Stock Controller’s freezer jackets to put around my shoulders till my transport came. The shop staff were wonderful – they couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly. I’ll definitely be making a call to Customer Services tomorrow to give my compliments and to ask for the staff to be personally thanked.

I sat and waited … and waited … and waited. One of the assistants kept popping his head out of the door to see if there were any signs of rescue. Nothing. I phoned the rescue people again, only to be told they were having difficulties finding a vehicle to collect me. More waiting.

After three-and-a-half hours, a man in grey and orange overalls and muddy boots came toward me. This was my knight in shining armour! I was very pleased to see him. He’d come to take my wheelchair home and helped me into a waiting taxi as he wasn’t allowed to carry passengers. Just as I got home, I saw a truck outside with Alfie on the back. It was a 7.5-ton pick-up truck!! Apparently, that’s all they had available. Some neighbours had come out to watch as my knight guided Alfie, looking very sorry for himself, down the ramp. Finally, we were home. What a day. Lucky I’ve got a very good sense of humour. I won’t live this one down for a long time!

I’ll never live it down 😂