"You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cause
Everything's going to be alright"
"No one can get in the way of
what I feel for you...you.. you...!"
A song no one had yet heard--
For a future later answered.
Over bumps and hills we rode
In a "cat carrier", safely stowed
Excited and scared all at once
We mewed loudly, then--silent.
My brother, he pushed me below
Hiding me so no one would know
That we were two, in solid black
He showed bravery that I lacked.
He always hid me beneath his mass
Protecting me with his outward sass
Ducking down, we'd huddle again
Protector and Sis, "Together-Friends".
"Oh, twins! How cute!" A voice cooed.
"Stay down!" my brother softly mewed.
Hands lifted him up high and out, first
I was so scared, I thought the worst!
'Come back!" in my tiny voice I yowled
More fearful when my brother growled.
But quickly I heard his soft trilling-purr
Soothing my scare when I again saw her.
Her hands raised me, in front of her eyes
A funny tickle in my belly, being so high!
Then, I heard my brother's lapping below
I wiggled politely for hands to let me go.
Bellies full, we slowly, fearfully explored
Sniffing the air, so alert, moving forward
Then, seeing from shadows nothing to fear
We weren't so worried to stay right here.
The lady laughed as we tumbled around
Bunny-kicking, biting, I got Bro' down
Till he yelled "uncle!" and I let him go
Then he got me again in a manly show!
We fast tuckered out, cuddling to sleep
Thinking we'd been cute enough to keep
Bro' said for me to not worry my head
That this lady cared more than she'd said.
Still, I fretted when on basket trips
Huddled low, quivering reached my lips
"Sis, you hide while I stand fully tall
I'll growl so no one wants us at all !"
Basket trips became such routine
Bro' would growl and act so mean
People laughed but moved right on
Bro' thus succeeded at one more con!
"Curly, you little cuss, did it again!
Growled, fussed, at women and men
They all just turned heel, went away--
Well, we'll just try again another day.
"But, quit hiding Bateste like you do!
You don't have to protect her on cue!
It's okay to let her personality shine--
I know I'd want her if she was mine!"
Bro' looked at me, closed-eye wink
Hers already though she didn't think.
We had these basket trips down pat
With me hiding, he'd growl and bat.
Curly and Bateste, those were our names
Our lady's love and home was our aim.
"I just don't know what to do," she said
As we all curled to sleep upon her bed.
Month passed to month, Bro's growl grew
On basket trips he knew just what to do!
We saw Mom's heart, knew her love strong
Knew right here was where we belonged.
Finally, the basket was put up on a shelf
Bro-Curly loudly congratulated himself !
Mom just thought it was a wild-man day
He was so bonkers with boisterous play!
I put my paw under My Mom's soft caress
Scooped her hand, my face against pressed
Grateful, basket trips had come to an end
As my "Thank-you for being my Godsend."
Mom just thought my "self-petting" cute
But grateful for her love after long pursuit
Bro' never growled anymore --'cept at me
Winning Mom's heart had set us all free.
"You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cause
Everything's going to be alright"
"No one can get in the way of
what I feel for you...you.. you...!"
An artist put emotion into song
Becoming ours before too long.
"My little 'wallflower', so sweet!"
In a house of only male paw-feet
Mom and I, delicate women-ways
Warmth like the sun's golden rays.
Desoto with his Alpha life passion
In disorder, he steps into Action!
Alpha-Action, a cat of all A's
I stayed clear, kept far away.
Suki, the runt, Curly left me for!
Suki's needs he couldn't ignore.
I despised Suki, that little brat
A betrayal for that runty cat.
But eventually Curly I forgave
To be a Protector is only brave
His life-calling to always defend
Other's needs to always attend.
Suki later didn't need him so bad
Curly remembered the Sis he had
We resumed where we had been
With respect, just cuddling twins.
Tickling my crinkled ear with licks
Loving the Mom we'd both picked
Bro' and Sis', "Together-Friends"
Bonds and love always transcends.
Bro's paws held my head softly tight
"Let me clean those whiskers right.
While I'm at it, I'll bathe you too
Just a favor I like to do for you."
My fur felt scruffy but I hardly saw
Unaware my sleek look had flaws;
I didn't care, didn't feel quite well
Until eventually, I looked like hell.
He licked and washed best he could
Cared for me as kin always should
Till one day, I smelled pretty bad
Good sniffing-nose Curly always had.
I hadn't felt as the huntress I was
Sick to my belly, and felt just 'blah'
Something just sucked life out
An ill little kitty, without a doubt.
Mom noticed my favorite food sat
I'd sniff but decide I didn't want that.
Mom saw how I felt just horribly sick
Took me to the doctor's, right quick.
Spring-time, birds all singing sweet
Illness took me right off my feet.
I stayed at the doctor's, 4 days long
To heal me from what was wrong.
But nothing healed, only kept at bay
Mom looked at me in her sad way;
I tried to tell Mom, "It'll be all right
We'll be together through day and night."
She quickly learned all she could do
To make me feel better, not so blue.
But I had to draw a line about new food
It tasted awful--I didn't mean to be rude!
"It helps to 'increase the stink'," Mom claims
Anything to get me to eat, becomes a game
She tries so hard every day -- and so do I
But sometimes at night I hear Mom's sighs.
For SubQs, bathroom refuge sought
To deliver the fluids as doctor taught
Away from our friends' all male-paws
Mom busily fighting for my cause.
"You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cause
Everything's going to be alright"
"No one can get in the way of
what I feel for you...you.. you...!"
Despite my wiggles and my mews
You help me all the way through...
I never meant to become such a worry!
A cat's life should not be lived in a hurry.
I laid on the bed, waiting to hear her come
As during all our years we had always done.
My pom pom ladybug, with black felt eyes
I didn't feel much like playing, I couldn't lie
But Mom 'couraged me to keep living on
Even on the days I didn't feel so strong.
Desoto that A-cat, gave me his place to sleep
He showed his sensitive side without a peep
But that Suki-runt never would get it right
Naps were okay, but no bed-hogs at night!
I needed to be with Mom all the way through
So she'd know her nightmares were not true
We'd awaken together hoping to see the sun
Reassuring ourselves our time was not done.
Curly looked after me while Mom worked
A bath from him was a soothing perk!
Cheerleader, caretaker, friend, and Bro'
He'd follow me around wherever I'd go.
Mom returned, giving pets on the bed
"What a pretty girl !" she always said.
I loved my Mom, my Angel on earth
Bestest-Mom I had since my birth!
Like a Pied-piper, holding a little dish
Following me, for me to eat was her wish!
Till I give in, and have eaten a bit more--
Blenderized foods, such a loving chore.
Mom always said I had a strong will
Until one night, I felt a strong chill
In golden eyes, a beautiful light
I knew the time to go was right.
I called out, not in fright nor pain
Just to tell Mom what I'd see again
Lush green grass under shining sky
There is a heaven, it's not a lie!
I kept talking, though growing cold
Wanting to go, though but 4 years old.
I told Mom memories of our lives
That I'll be waiting when she arrives.
We'll meet on the bed again at 4
In a heavenly spot we'll both adore
I'll chase lady-bugs but not lasers
(God hasn't caught on to that yet!)
Chatter at birds and other creatures.
As a family again we'll share time
Tell 'Sota, Suki, and Curly I'm fine.
Scooping your hand, I told him to do
To boost your heart when feeling blue.
Remember my birth, not my death
My days full, Life giving me breath
I'm always there, strive to be brave
I love you dearly for all you gave.
"You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cause
Everything's going to be alright"
"No one can get in the way of
what I feel for you...you.. you...!
... No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel ..for you!"
Love,
From your Pretty Girl Bateste
Copyright Judith Florian, August 19, 2009.
Select lyrics included from Alicia Keys' song, "No One", released Nov.
13, 2007.
Poems may not be copied except by the person for whom the poem was written.
