Madison Street: Cat Lady

 

 I wrote this poem many years before J.D. Vance's disparaging remark.

 

A Vicorian cat lady

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cat Lady

 

Mildred Smith has recently retired

from Ladies’ Lingerie at Pomeroy’s.

Her cats, all orphaned strays, now benefit

from Mildred’s full-time care. She has acquired

a good half-dozen, say the Harris boys,

the twins who live next-door. Her favorite

is Tina, who escaped from Phil last year

with one blind eye and only half an ear.

Mildred would have made a loving wife

and mother, but it’s too late. Anyhow,

she seems to be contented with her life;

for though the Harris twins mewl out Meow!

Meow! when Mildred passes by, the knife

of their derision cannot wound her now.