Iambic Petometer

Recent Notice from Town Attorney:

New town law: Residents can have a maximum of  two licensed dogs, two cats, and two small, fur-bearing animals per dwelling unit, so long as they do not create a nuisance to neighboring properties.

Ye Gads! I'm thrust into a quandary.

I’m barren of dogs, but cats? I have three.

None of noble pedigree for show,

But each is precious, which one must go?

Not Little Boy, in Lone Ranger mask,

Who in his youth a master mouser pranced

Through living room, proud, bushy tail unfurled

Bib, collar, high-stepping white boots awhirl

To bathtub to toy with terrified mouse

'Til rescued prey freed near neighboring house

Now, long retired, he prefers my warm lap

Trading me snores in luxurious nap

What, forfeit him to some inane quota?

No chance,  Little Boy, not an iota!

And what of sweet Sugar, white as the snow

From which she was rescued, shivering so?

A prettier creature eyes never saw

Wetting and polishing whisker and paw.

So skittish and spooked when she came to us

Yet now each morning insists on a fuss

Mounting my lap, amid coffee and news

I comb and praise away thoughts of abuse

Purring, that ivory bundle of hair

Bolts to curl up on my computer chair

Until I bump her into bureau drawer,

Then tap the keys to her comforting snore

No, it can’t be Sugar, she’s earned her stay.

Neither town nor court can send her away.

Focusing now on mischievous female

Little Sister, she of question mark tail

Who gallops at meal time dish to dish

Nosing her way into siblings' chopped fish

Brown and grey tabby on mission to see

What new, devilish way to aggravate me

Lord knows I try to make peace with that cat

But scornful paw swats away each friendly pat

A candidate for castoff, might say you,

But should I oust her, the wife will leave, too.

Oh, how Little Sister adores my mate

Stays near for cuddles no matter how late.

Leaping to lap with kittenish squeaks

Nuzzling and bumping her nose, ears and cheeks.

Each time the wife coughs, though Sister's asleep,

She wakes with a worried God Bless You bleat.

Having won the endless love of my wife.

Little Sister stays while I still breathe life

No vote of Town Board splits my family

Of people, cats and, yes, small things furry

I place my faith in the ancient precept

Some existing things outlawed may be kept

These cats are grandfathered in while alive

Thus, legally speaking, I can have five