Welcome Welcome

Welcome again,
Guests from afar.
Take a look at how myself I carry
Around this table you'll find me tarry.
Where are you from,
Guests from afar?
Were you driven here in cages?
I know the drive takes like ages.
Guests from afar,
You must be impressed.
This place is my own
It keeps my temperament at rest.

His Master's Crown

Throughout the day,
his master walks without his crown
But when darkness falls
and his master journeys into his dreams
His crown creeps into his chamber
to curl around his head until dawn

Translator's Note: I was a bit flattered by this poem, but perhaps he was flattering himself even more. Just look at the picture he chose. Is he the crown or the king? But I may agree that his worth is equal to that of a bejeweled crown made of pure gold.

Massage for a Sea Cow

Condemned to surface water dwelling
As boats speed clumsily
The manatee way of life is threatened
Our social comforts drop away

Until a cat from up the Mississippi
Provides a tender touch
From deceivingly sharp claws
The bliss of life returns

Translator's Note: Dima oftens recites this poem while performing his nightly ritual of massaging our plush animals. He also massages our plush monkey, Hong Kong, not in the picture. I predict a monkey massage poem in the making.

Clipped

Painlessly
my claws were
blunted

Translator's Note: This must be a kitty haiku. First experience for me. Dima warned me about these.

Monday Rain, Monday Pain

Rabies, do I know you?
I do not know rabies.
I do not have rabies!

One moment at home
The next in a cage
The next in a car
The next at the vet!

New places and new faces
Voices of cats
Meow and cry
But I do not see them

Suddenly freed
and on a table
Hands all around me
Some stroking, some poking

Then...
the shot!

It does not phase me
It does not raise me
I sit calmly and comfortably
The strangers depart

Proudly inoculated
I am returned home
Back in the bag
Immune from the rabies

First Poem

Cat

Translator's note: I asked Dima if there was more to this poem, and he said no. I asked him what the difference was between the word "cat" and his first poem. He then gave me a prolonged stare as if I should know the answer.