Today’spoem

RECIPE FOR A DOG

Take the courage of a lion Take the shyness of a lamb Take the eagerness of beavers As they build their loggy dam. Some ferocity of rhino As he makes his fearful charge, The protectiveness of mother hen With baby chicks at large. Take the homing instinct of a dove The staunchness of a dray Add a pinch of Marchhare madness Just to keep the gloom at bay. Take some playfulness of kittens Add a touch of stubborn mule And some antics of an otter As he frolics in his pool. And lastly take the smallest bit Of cunning of a fox And mix all these ingredients Together in a box. Add your own touch of faithfulness And season it with care And you will have the finest dog That you’ll find anywhere.

RECIPE FOR A CAT

If he’s idiosyncratic, he’s a cat. If his purring is erratic, he’s a cat. If he enters through the cat-flap, And ignores the human clap-trap, ’Cause he wants to take a cat-nap, He’s a cat. If he miaows to voice his cry words, he’s a cat. If his tail is pointing skywards, he’s a cat. If he watches you or me dine For the food he’ll make a beeline, If he’s hungry and a feline, He’s a cat. Len Lewis, Cheltenham, Glos.