The Jellicle Cat

Bucky is settling in nicely, and has become a wonderful lap cat, something that will be even more charming when fall and winter roll around. Sometimes I need to boot her off my lap because she is just too hot. She's learning not to beg when we sometimes eat our supper in front of the evening news, and she has gotten very accustomed to a small saucer of milk in the morning. My next project is to try and teach her a couple tricks, like "shake," and "sit." She's motivated to please, and she loves tiny bits of cheese (good Wisconsin cat she is), so I have high hopes.


The Song of the Jellicles
T.S. Eliot

Jellicle Cats are black and white,
 Jellicle Cats are rather small;
 Jellicle Cats are merry and bright,
 And pleasant to hear when they caterwaul.
 Jellicle Cats have cheerful faces,
 Jellicle Cats have bright black eyes;
 They like to practice their airs and graces
 And wait for the Jellicle Moon to rise.

 Jellicle Cats develop slowly,
 Jellicle Cats are not too big;
 Jellicle Cats are roly-poly,
 They know how to dance a gavotte and a jig.
 Until the Jellicle Moon appears
 They make their toilette and take their repose:
 Jellicle Cats wash behind their ears,
 Jellicle dry between their toes.

 Jellicle Cats are white and black,
 Jellicle Cats are of moderate size;
 Jellicle Cats jump like a jumping-jack,
 Jellicle Cats have moonlit eyes.
 They're quiet enough in the morning hours,
 They're quiet enough in the afternoon,
 Reserving their terpsichorean powers
 To dance by the light of the Jellicle Moon.

 Jellicle Cats are black and white,
 Jellicle Cats (as I said) are small;
 If it happends to be a stormy night
 They will practise a caper or two in the hall.
 If it happens the sun is shining bright
 You would say they had nothing to do at all:
 They are resting and saving themselves to be right
 For the Jellicle Moon and the Jellicle Ball.