Cleaning yourself as if the world is just fine Of course you don’t know about September 11 or the war You don’t know about the terrorists or do you Is that mangy dog down the street the terrorist you fear What does someone of your small stature think of the world Do you look at the humans around you and think you’re much smarter because you can hunt smell a rat and see in the dark Maybe you think all we can do is open a can How would you manage all these wars between countries Would you talk out your problems or use a more violent approach Grady enters the room and I watch the hair on your back rise You don’t move He doesn’t move This could be a showdown But no The moment passes and you resume your cleaning I breathe a sigh of relief What would the world be like if ruled by a cat say, like you, Stripes Would everyone be ordered to bathe for hours on end You look up at me with clear eyes and I’m curious to know Do you actually reason or do you just look smart You know I’ve always suspected you have the ability to think and also the ability to pretend to think I see a smile flitting across your face You get up and go outside Even though that dog could still be there you show no fear Marley Powell, 12Los Angeles, California
Poetry-Animals
One Snake’s Life
New Spanish moss was my bed The ships’ horns were my alarm clock In the early morning Along the Mississippi River’s edge I was swimming left to right Left to right The mud was brown The sky was gray Going up the willow trees Down the willow trees Hiding in the rocks That mourning dove egg was delicious It was cool and damp When I slithered to the top of the levee (I was in a frightening mood) It happened I didn’t see it coming The wheel Ben Amoss, 10Jefferson, Louisiana
My Trixie
Curled on the dining room table Furry cheek snuggled against the cloth Trixie purrs Tail twitching and ears cocked Waiting for the sound of cat food in the bowl I rub my face in her tummy Breathing in rich cat-smell As she rumbles, happy To be home After a trot around the neighborhood Mrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeew? She asks if I’ll pet her I oblige and stoke her back Telling her I love her That she’ll always be my kitty She stretches, mouth open And legs stiff Always trying to look less fat Tail curling, eyes open Then she settles back down And tucks her head on her paws Lying there on the green tablecloth Looking like a beached whale She sinks deeper in sleep Her whiskers droop And yellow eyes close And I rub my face in her fur again She’s still purring Even in sleep she’s my baby Paws tucked under her massive body Cold button nose a bright black She is my darling My sweetie My Trixie-Bixie. Emma Kilgore Hine, 13Austin, Texas
