by Curt L.
Member since:
November 1, 2007

Cattales ~ Haiku for You and Ann M.

April 26, 2008 05:56 PM EDT
views: 109 | comments: 73

Old wives tell a tale

of cats stealthfully stealing

about in the night.  

~

Dead quiet, such cats

head to the nursery where

a newborn's sleeping.  

~

In gracile silence

they creep t'wards sleeping baby's

sweet, milk-scented mouth.  

~

Marv'ling, watching first,

then cat begins to suck breath

and life from baby... 

 

 

Copywright 2008 CCL
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Comments: 73

t b. Apr 26, 2008, 6:05pm EDT
They just want the milk from the lips of the babe.

I was lucky, my cats never bothered my two babies.
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Apr 26, 2008, 6:07pm EDT
I've always heard this but believed it was just an old wive's story. But this kittie makes it look possible...
Alison Pearce Apr 26, 2008, 6:09pm EDT
Scary! Excellent work Curt
Ann M. (Site Scryer) Apr 26, 2008, 6:25pm EDT
Ming (pictured) and I send our thanks and appreciation.

This poem slinks around quietly, gracile (gracefully slender) like a cat, then terrorizes the reader with its last two lines. I particularly like the way you use the phrase "dead quiet" to foreshadow the baby's death.

Curt, you are an incredibly versatile poet.
Ann M. (Site Scryer) Apr 26, 2008, 6:26pm EDT
I wonder if it's time to tell the AntiChrist that one of his minions has escaped?
Alison H. Apr 26, 2008, 6:31pm EDT
Thank you! With that photo, this was hysterical!!

(Sorry, if it wasn't supposed to be funny!)
Nancy 67 Apr 26, 2008, 6:31pm EDT
Well, yuck! Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadddd Kitty!!!! ;-D
Peter Joseph Swanson Apr 26, 2008, 6:43pm EDT
Are you sure you're not really Edward Gorey?
Bonnie S. Apr 26, 2008, 6:51pm EDT
Nice haiku, funny picture : )
Cookie Queen K. Apr 26, 2008, 8:00pm EDT
I'm sending a 10!
Barbara N. Apr 26, 2008, 8:42pm EDT
10 to you
Trudy P. Apr 26, 2008, 9:42pm EDT
Wow that was great! Luckily we never had any problems with our cats!
Heather W. Apr 26, 2008, 10:16pm EDT
Great poem!
Dena A. Apr 26, 2008, 10:18pm EDT
great pic!
Beth - Doing God's work Daily J. Apr 26, 2008, 10:19pm EDT
Thanks for sharing a great Haku
debra g. Apr 26, 2008, 11:59pm EDT
Thats nice and I heard this when my children were born.
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least five votes and over 8.0 average rating, and as such has been removed from Rating Resurrectionists! Congratulations!
DIANE D. Apr 27, 2008, 5:39am EDT
Weird
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations!
elizabeth e. Apr 27, 2008, 6:54am EDT
My Mom hates cats for this very reason. I don't know how many times she has told me this as she saw the cats in my house. Hard to let go some of these old wives tales if you believed them all your life.
Digital Diva S. Apr 27, 2008, 9:46am EDT
Thanks for posting this to BEST ORIGINAL PHOTOS, ART AND WRITING FOR 2008.
Mariana T. Apr 27, 2008, 12:43pm EDT
I grew up hearing that from other places - we never had cats inside but here I have cats and dogs going in and out - no babies though! However, the other day Beanie jumped from my dresser onto the bed and one of his claws dug in an inch from my eye - so I have to block the top of the dresser. She wakes up every day at 4:20. Salud.
Mariana T. Apr 27, 2008, 12:44pm EDT
Wonderful Haiku Curt but kind of morbid! Salud.
Jo C. Apr 27, 2008, 1:28pm EDT
What a photo! Loved the poem, too....and I still love cats. But if I saw that one, in the dead of night, I'd scream. The cat looks like it is already screaming.
Jo C. Apr 27, 2008, 1:29pm EDT
Curt - I'm no Haiku expert but isn't this four haikus? I need to up my Haiku knowledge.
Curt L. Apr 27, 2008, 1:47pm EDT
Hi Jo! You are right, this is a train of four haiku verses. Thank you!
lynn a. Apr 27, 2008, 2:10pm EDT
Yes, I've heard this old wives tale. Don't put much stock in it, but that cat you show could make a believer out of me. What a picture !
Mary Ann S. Apr 27, 2008, 2:15pm EDT
This old wives tale is not true. cats do not suck milk or the breath from a baby; I gave you a ten anyway.
t b. Apr 27, 2008, 2:54pm EDT
lol Alison!
Hi Curt, hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
Rose T. Apr 27, 2008, 5:30pm EDT
Scary! But true. My cat likes to get so close to my face when we sleep, she could smoother a baby. She just likes the warmth of my breath I'm sure! But cats do like to snuggle. Great haikis Curt!
William Dotani Apr 27, 2008, 6:10pm EDT
I had my reservations, but now I'm sure you're one of the reincarnated Grimm brothers.
Rebecca C. Apr 27, 2008, 8:17pm EDT
Very scary for sure!
Rebecca C. Apr 27, 2008, 8:32pm EDT
I hope you are having a great evening!
Ellie !. Apr 28, 2008, 12:41am EDT
Curt, You have an awesome mind. I've been flying all day. Now I'm doing laundry.
necee t. Apr 28, 2008, 1:23am EDT
oh my Curt... this is scary...

thank you for your friendship...
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Apr 28, 2008, 10:05am EDT
Those old wives tales do continue to haunt people, it seems! The photo that you used along with this is pretty wild- great poem.
Chelsea R. Apr 28, 2008, 2:09pm EDT
haha great one!
William M. Apr 28, 2008, 5:46pm EDT
WOW!! First time I heard this one.
Lucky Stars Apr 28, 2008, 5:49pm EDT
My son used to be scared of cats. I could understand why if he saw this one. LOL!
As far as the old wives tale - bah! I've always had kitties and they have never harmed a babe.
Nice set of haikus, Curt.
vickey w Apr 28, 2008, 9:28pm EDT
Hello Curt, I am trying to find my way around gather, and I feel overwhelmed, I feel as if I am missing so much from my connections. I am trying to make the best of this though..
How have you been??? I liked your poem and I had forgotten about this old wives tale, but I have heard of this before....
Vivian P. Apr 29, 2008, 12:20pm EDT
Yep thats an old wives tale you would be surprised how many call it an old wise tale LOL I was told not to have a cat around my infant son 38 years ago !!

Great job Curt
Sarah (I want points) Apr 29, 2008, 1:20pm EDT
Wow! I've never heard that one before. Interesting haiku. I like it.
Robyn F. Apr 29, 2008, 1:25pm EDT
nice writing!
Kay M. Apr 29, 2008, 2:34pm EDT
Yikes! Scary stuff Curt!
Sherrie H. Apr 30, 2008, 2:51am EDT
Yikes from me, too! I've heard this tale before, but never so eloquently as you told it.
Wilma M. Apr 30, 2008, 1:25pm EDT
I think THAT cat might attack adults! It's kind of scary.

Great haiku.
F. Jeanette c. Apr 30, 2008, 6:00pm EDT
Let's don't take a chance. that cat could have walked under a ladder or ran in front of the baby. :-) Very good.

10 4 u
Deb D. Apr 30, 2008, 6:21pm EDT
Great Haiku! Scary Kitty!!!

Years ago this was probably one of the weirdest wive's tales I'd ever heard...thank goodness it isn't true!
Rebecca C. Apr 30, 2008, 9:10pm EDT
Hi Curt!
Rebecca C. Apr 30, 2008, 9:10pm EDT
I hope you are doing well tonight!
Rebecca C. Apr 30, 2008, 9:11pm EDT
How has your day been?
Rebecca C. Apr 30, 2008, 9:11pm EDT
I had a meeting yesterday evening and another one this morning....they tire me out so much.....lol...
Rebecca C. Apr 30, 2008, 9:12pm EDT
But I managed to get through them....and the weekend is just around the corner! =)
Rebecca C. Apr 30, 2008, 9:12pm EDT
I hope you have a wonderful night!
Rebecca C. Apr 30, 2008, 9:13pm EDT
Take care! Talk to you tomorrow!
Lawrence U. Apr 30, 2008, 9:20pm EDT
Lovely poem, Curt! The first stanza is a real beauty - it sets the scene very well.
Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Apr 30, 2008, 9:23pm EDT
Clever haikus Curt..Good job
Rita j. May 1, 2008, 5:03pm EDT
neat
Patti M. May 2, 2008, 11:45pm EDT
Very scary, I'm glad we had a dog not a cat. Our dog was very protective of Scott.
Ruth Luce May 3, 2008, 1:49pm EDT
"When a baby cry, there are milk nearby!" =D Fun one Curt!
The Red Headed Witch of Gather G. May 3, 2008, 5:34pm EDT
Oh, so that's what my cat is trying to do when she sticks her head in my mouth.
Kelly M. May 4, 2008, 9:09pm EDT
Well done - love the pic too!
Stefania H. May 4, 2008, 11:39pm EDT
Cat looks really mad. Nice poem...
Leah A. May 9, 2008, 2:35pm EDT
Nice poem, Curt, but I hope it really was just an "old wives tale"!
DJ B. May 9, 2008, 5:46pm EDT
Now that is one scary looking cat! *lol*
And another fabulous (and chilling!) poem. ;o)
samantha b. May 10, 2008, 10:46am EDT
this is great and the kitties only want to be close to be baby...not hurt them
Jerri H. May 18, 2008, 11:51am EDT
You know my dad believes this.
arlene (no shame in my game) w. May 21, 2008, 6:26pm EDT
That is an old wive's tale Curt. Most cats won't even drink milk.
Sarah (I want points) Jun 4, 2008, 1:19pm EDT
I still like this one :)
Amy C. Jun 8, 2008, 5:32pm EDT
very nice
Paula C. Mar 17, 2009, 5:05pm EDT
I am tiny like a leprechaun, barely 5 feet tall.
I’ll spend the day on gather, trying to see it all.
There’s quite a few discussions and lots of pictures too.
I’m looking at the videos adding comments galore for you.

So here on dear ole’ St Paddy’s Day, with all the Irish Luck.
Here’s hoping you get enough points today to make at least a buck!
Happy Gathering!

Webfetti.com




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