Outcast

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 62, 6 December 1930, Page 17

Outcast

Fm an alley cat— A lean cat and lone. '/ A bad cat: a ragged cat and sad. Fin a lanky, scrawny, tailless cat, A bobbed cat—a Tom. A hungry, fighting cat and mad, The minstrel of the night— The still night; the dark night and light, Fm no one’s petting party. Not for me the cosy fireside or the hearth — Fm no lap or cushion cat, But a night hawk, bold and free. A wild cat —and glad! A half-fed cat —and starved, No ribbon ’round my neck, No saucer filled with “muck,” Fm just living on my luck. Fm a bold bad cat with fleas, The kind dogs like to tease., Fm a target for your missies and your jests — I’ve been sworn at and thrown at, ■Fm lame and have, but half..an.. ear.j. -. • But my voice is strong and clear As I sing my song of cheer On the back fence In the alley at the .rear. —Mary Cockburn Bourke, in the Honolulu Star‘Bulletin.