I once had some neighbors who had a cat. Kitten, actually. This kitten was named Fox. Fox was super cute and curious, which is not surprising for a kitten, I suppose. However, this kitten was SO curious, he disappeared himself for—it must’ve been a good twenty-four hours.
We could only imagine where Fox had gotten to, what kind of high-jinks he’d been involved in. Was he lost on an odyssey? Was he flirting with joining a local cat gang? Or was he simply just chasing birds and butterflies? Of course, we feared the worse, that Fox had perchance fallen victim to some sort of cat-astrophe.
In the end, nobody knows where Fox actually went. It doesn’t matter. Everyone was glad he came back.
This is the poem I wrote about it…
Ode to Fox
Foxes have holes and birds have their nests,
But the kitten named “Fox” has most surely been blessed.
For his home is filled with the finest of toys.
He must be the envy of little-cat boys.
A smooth wooden floor is a lure for his sliding.
A two-level stair is found there for his striding.
A sofa, like clouds, is a shroud for his sleeping.
And large panes of glass more than pass for his peeping.
He always is loved and he always is fed.
So why would he risk getting lost and—gulp!—dead?
Oh why, little Fox, tell me why you would run?
Are Heidi and Susan just not enough fun?
Whatever the reason, whatever the cause,
We’re glad you’ve returned and you still have your paws.
“Ode to Fox,” by Eric Herron ©1999
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As a parent to cats myself, I know this experience only too well. And your Ode to Fox is just lovely! Thank you, Eric!