For Those of Us with Cats:

On a Cat Ageing

He blinks upon the hearth-rug
And yawns in deep content,
Accepting all the comforts
That Providence has sent

Louder he purrs and louder,
In one glad hymn of praise
For all the night’s adventures,
For quiet, restful days.

Life will go on forever,
With all that cat can wish;
Warmth, and glad procession
Of fish and milk and fish.

One-the thought disturbs him-
He’s noticed once or twice,
That times are somehow breeding
A nimbler race of mice.

-Sir Alexander Gray