For reasons unknow she'd scamper off alone Deep into the undergrowth that spring. Keeping only to herself what she'd done, The cat returned purring and mewing As if the greatest thing possible had been Achieved, by a cat, and a small one too. Those March afternoons were when she were keen To leave the house to something no-one knew, Till one day I chanced upon a small upturned Wheelbarrow with a wheel missing and rust Staining the handles. From within something yearned To know who'd intruded on their home. Lust Overcame me and I heaved over the barrow To see before me my cat hissing and spewing Fury, all the more fierce beacause of the narrow Space she had to guard her kittens, now stirring In the light. In respect I withdrew but not before A stray stab drew blood from my shin Through my trousers, such was the vigour. And that was the last I saw of her kin. I have a newfound respect for cats And especially the feline mothers. It doesn't matter now, I've seen to that; The kittens are sold, the mother spayed. No more bothers.