My dear mother Tabby, I’ve often heard say,
That I have been a very fine cat in my day;
But the sorrows in which my whole life has been passed,
Have spoiled all my beauty, and killed me at last.
**********************

Poor thoughtless young thing! If I recollect right,
I was kittened in March, on a clear frosty night;
And before I could see, or was half a week old,
I nearly had perished, the barn was so cold.
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But this chilly spring I got pretty well over,
And moused in the hay-loft, or played in the clover;
Or till I was weary, which seldom occurred,
Ran after my tail, which I took for a bird.
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But, ah! My poor tail, and my pretty sleek ears!
The farmer’s boy cut them all off with his shears.
How little I thought, when I licked them so clean,
I should be such a figure, not fir to be seen!
******************

Some time after this when the places were healed,
As I lay in the sun, sound asleep in the field,
Miss Fanny crept shyly, and griping me fast,
Declared she had caught the sweet creature at last.
*********************

Ah me! How I struggled, my freedom to gain,
But alas! All my kicking and struggles were vain,
For she held me so tight in her pinafore tied,
That before she got home I had liked to have died.
*********************

From this dreadful morning my sorrows arose:
Wherever I went I was followed with blows:
Some kicked me for nothing, while quietly sleeping,
Or flogged me for daring the pantry to peep in.
*********************

And then the great dog! I shall never forget him;
How many a time my young master would set him,
And whilst I stood terrified, all of a quake,
Cry,”Hey cat!” and, “seize her, boy! Give her a shake!”
*************************************

Sometimes, when so hungry, I could not forbear
Just taking a scrap that I thought might be spare
Oh! What have I suffered with beating and banging,
Or starved for a fortnight, or threatened with hanging.
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But kicking and beating, and starving and that,
I have borne with a spirit becoming a cat:
There was but one thing which I could not sustain,
So great was my sorrow, so hopeless my pain.
************************

One morning, laid safe in a warm little bed,
That down in the stable I’d carefully spread,
Three sweet little kittens as you ever saw,
I hid, as I thought, in some trusses of straw.
***********************

I was never so happy, I think, or so proud,
I mewed to my kittens, and purred out aloud,
And thought with delight of the merry carousing
We’d have, when I first took them out with me mousing.
**************************

But how shall I tell you this sorrowful ditty?
I’m sure it would melt even Growler to pity;
For the very next morning my darlings I found,
Lying dead by the horse – pond, all mangled and drowned.
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Poor darlings! I dragg’d them along to the stable,
And did all to warm them a mother was able;
But alas! all my licking and mewing were vain,
And I thought I should ne’er have been happy again.
******************************

However, time gave me a little relief,
And mousing diverted the thoughts of my grief,
And at last I began to be gay and contented,
Till one dreadful morning, forever repented.
*****************************

Miss Fanny was fond of a favourite sparrow,
And often I long’d for a taste of its marrow’
So not having eating a morsel all day,
I flew to the bird-cage and tore it away.
*******************************

Now tell me, kind friends, was the like ever heard,
That a catshould be killed just for catching a bird!
And I’m sure, not the slightest suspicion I had,
But that catching a mouse was exactly as bad.
*******************************

Indeed I can say with my paw on my heart,
I would not have acted a mischeivous part;
But, as dear mother Tabby was often repeating
I thought birds and mice were on purpose for eating.
***********************************
But this as is may, with the noise of its squeaking,
Miss Fanny came in, while my whiskers were reeking,
And on my poor back with the hot poker flying
She gave me those bruises of which I am dying.
*****************************

But I feel that my breathing grows shorter apace,
And cold clammy sweats trickle down from my face:
I forgive little Fanny this bruise on my side-
She stopp’d, gave a sigh, and a struggle, and died.
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Love Makes The World Go Round
******************************

Her Aunt, who, from her earliest youth, had kept a strict regard of thruth,

Attempted to believe Matilda: The effort very nearly killed her,

And would have done so, had not she dicovered this infirmity.

For once, toward the close of day, Matilda, growing tired of play,

And finding she was left alone, tiptoed to the telephone

And summoned the immediate aid of London’s noble fire brigade.

Within a hour the gallant band were pouring in on every hand,

From Putney, hackney Downs and Bow with courage high and hearts a-glow

They galloped, roaring through the town “Matilda’s house is burning down!”

Inspired by British cheers and loud proceeding from the frenzied crowd,

They ran their ladders through a score of windows on the ballroom floor;

And took particular pains to souse the pictures up and down the house,

Until malda’s Aunt succeeded in showing them they were not needed;

And even then she had to pay to get the men to go away.!

It happened that a few weeks later her Aunt was off to the theatre

To see that interesting play The second Mrs TanQueray.

She had refused to take her neice to hear this entertaining peice:

A deprivation just and wise to punish her for telling lies.

That night a fire did break out- you should have heard matilda shout!

You should have heard her scream and bawl, and throw the window up and call

To people passing in the street- (the rapidly increasing heat

Encouraging her to obtain their confidence)- but all in vain!

For every time she shouted ” fire!” They only answered “Little liar.”

And threfore when her Aunt returned, Matilda and the house, were burned.

Hilaire Belloc

;

;

When the sky was dark and the streets were covered with snow.

I had nothing specific in mind and wasn’t sure what to do,

Since it was one of those chilly nights that leave you feeling a bit blue.

I shuffled through a few papers and picked up a book

And without giving it much thought, decided to take a look.

It was one of those volumes filled with dozens of stories

That told tales of victories, failures and glories.

There was an account of a boy who went to school and learned,

And anotherof a girl who got the toy for which she yearned.

Then I came to a story about someone just like us

Who decided to spend a day doing random acts of kindness.

Every thoughtful gift and kind word said with grace

Brightened someones day and left a smile on their face.

I sat there to ponder and come up with a thought-

If everyone tried to share some happiness and kindness sought,

Wouldn’t our world be so much more pleasant than it is now

When a few more smiles and time for others we’d allow?

I baked a batch of cookies today, and I know a lady down the street

Who I’m sure would love a few moments of company and a homemade treat.

And her lonely neighbor who always seems a bit sad and gray-

I think a nice visit from someone would just make her day.

Well, it was starting to get late, so I decided to get some sleep

After I made a list of things to do the next day and appointments to keep.

When I got next morning I went to school with a goal in mind-

I would try to cheer a few people up and find ways to be kind.

I bid “Good morning” and smiled at everyone I met

A few returned the greeting, then our seperate ways we went.

Someone dropped their books, so I helped them gather them, willingly,

And I noticed the more I helped others, the more they helped me.

After I went home, I packages some cookies to share,

Attaching a not that said, “Just because I care.”

When they opened the doors, you should have seen their faces light with glee

And watched their smiles as they exclaimed “You mean you came to visit loney old me?”

Later in the evening I sat down and wrote a few notes

Wishing the recipient a great week, before sealing them in envelopes.

Then I took a few moments to think about my day

And realizes I had received more joy than I had given away.

Because every time you smile or with a cheerful word  part,

The warmth of that kindness penetrates into your own heart.

We’re only given a short time to spread some cheer befoer we die,

So why give random acts of kindness a try?

Melissa Broecklman

We did everything with each opther, you were my best friend.

When I was sad you were by my side, when I was scared, you felt my fear.

You were my best support- If I needed you, you were there.

You were the greatest friend, you always knew what to say,

You made everything seem better,as long as we had each other everything would be okay.

But somewhere along the line, we slowly came apart,

I was here,  you were there, it tore a whole in my heart.

Things were changing, our cheerful music reversed it’s tune,

It was like havin salt without pepper, a sun without a moon.

Suddenly we were miles apart, two different people, with nothing the same.

It was as if we hadn’t been friends; although we knew deep in our hearts neither one of us was to blame.

You had made many new friends and luckily so had I,

But that didn’t change the hurt- the loss of our friendship made me cry.

As we grow older, things must change but they don’t always have to end.

Even though we’re different now, you will always be my friend.

stand by me in my hour of need, take time to understand.

Take my hand, dear friend and lead me form this place.

Chase away my doubts and fears, wipe the tears from off my face.

friend, I cannot stand alone, I need your hand to hold.

The warmth of your gentle touch in my world that’s grown so cold.

Please be a friend to me and hold me day by day.

because with your loving hand in mine, I know we’ll find the way.

Let her find love through a hug and a smile;

But also know when it’s time to let go,

For each and every one of us must learn to grow.

I land on my head when I should be on my feet.

I try to move forward, but I am stuck in rewind.

Why do I keep at it?

I won’t be left behind.

The harder I am thrown, the higher I bounce.

I give it my all and that’s all that counts.

In first place, myself, I seldom find.

So I push to the limit, I won’t be left behind.

Some people tell me you can’t, some say don’t.

Some simply give up , I reply , I won’t.

The power is here locked away in my mind.

My perserverance is my excellence, I won’t be left behind.

Make the best of each moment, the future is soon the past.

The more I tell myself this, the less I come in last.

Throughout my competitions, I’ve learned what winning is about.

A plain and clear lesson, giving up is the easy way out.

So every night before I go to bed, I hope in a small way I have shined.

Tomorrow is a brand new day and I won’t be left behind.

Life’s full of twists and turns will abound, but wonder and insight can guide you around.

Explore what you may and fill up your mind and hold in your heart the mysteries you find.

Wonder is only saying you yearn to know and select the things that you learn.

And making a choice in which way you turn

The best path you take will always be right , ’cause if you were wrong, you CAN make it right.

Each new step you take when you listen and hear  will give you the courage and freedom from fear.

So wonder my child, rid of your doubt and you will rejoice in how you turn out.

And though you may fall and struggle too,

Know that I’ve been there and will always love you.

You lie a lot to fool your friends but you fooled yourself instead.

It’s harder to get from here to there if you set your goals too high;

Ten nothing ever works out right; Too soon you no longer try.

But the hardest way to get from here to there is when all you ever do

Is count up the years and miles to go, then you’re through before you’re through.

So how do you get from here to there? well, fist you must believe you can

Let no one tell you differently, it’s your life and it’s in your hands.

Then turn your dreams into your goals and see what you need now

To satisfy the requirements; The why, the whereand how.

At first you’re overwhelmed, of course; there is so much you don’t know.

But keep your faith, be strong and sure, for you do have a way to go.

Take careful steps and do them right, take pride in each thing done.

Don’t look too far ahead of yourself, just that next step yet to come.

Before you know it you’ll be there, friend, your dream will then be real.

And you’ll be standing where I am now, telling others how good it feels.

You’ll tell them not to quit themselves, to have faith though it’s hard to bear.

So they will know it can be done, they too, can get from here to there.

Jennings Michael Burch