Poems by
Seetharam P

Pussy Cat

a poem by Seetharam P

“Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?”
“I had been to London to see the Queen!”
‘Well my dear, did you meet Her Majesty’
“No, Sir, she was away to a party.’
“But you could have waited or gone next day.”
“I couldn’t wait as the guard chased me away
And so, on the next day, I tried again;
But the weather frowned and was caught in rain!
But I would not give it up, no, not I,
Though for lodging problems I had to sigh;
I had booked room in hotel for days three,
And despite my giving reasons and plea
To extend my stay, I was asked to quit!
I was angry, and so my teeth I grit;
I refused to check out, and told them so.
But the hotel staff would not take a “No’,
And so thrust a bulldog into my room!
His looks were fierce, me thought of my doom

Perhaps he didn’t see the speck that I was
Hiding in a corner; he saw no cause
Why he was sent, or what his purpose was;
He jumped and barked at random, gave a pause;
Finding no response, nor cause for alarm,
Barged out; my chill body again turned warm.
The next day I went ‘gain to the Palace
To meet the queen, but she wasn’t in her place;
She was out gath’ring flow’rs in the garden.”
‘You have to wait,’ said the Palace Warden.’
“Her Majesty appeared in a short while,
And I greeted her with a sunny smile.
The queen patted me and asked ‘What ails thee?
What troubles force thee to come and see me?’
“I just went to see her, not to complain,
Didn’t even think of that hotel villain.
So I was at a loss for words, but then
Don’t know from where, but all of a sudden
Darted across, a tiny little mouse!
In one quick bounce, the rat I did arrest,
But in the process had scratched her wrist;
So, poor me, instead of being honored,
For catching intruder, the queen was ‘ngered
And ordered the sentry that I be shot!
Through open window, my escape I sought.
Luckily for me a tree was nearby,
I clung to a branch and thus I didn’t die!
I heaved a sigh of relief and ran fast
To my hotel room bed and fell aghast;
I sneaked out of hotel the next morning
And today, here I am with you chatting;
Can you not please put me up in your house?
In turn, I’ll rid your house of any mouse!
Don’t forget, Sir, I am London-returned
And seen by the queen too and thus honored;
So I should be ranked as a V.I.P.!
Hence I pray will you please accomm’date me?