Was comfi asleep, slowly rocking my chair,
Was having sweet dreams, building castles in air.
Resigned from my job, people working for me,
a cook and a cleaner. I really felt free.
No burden, no duty, no project, no chore
no drab obligations, no tasks anymore.

Woke up from a pat with a paw on the door.
I knew: ‘This is Cat, whom I wish to ignore.’
Though guilt was consuming me – it would behoove*
me serving Queen Cat – I preferred not to move.
But Cat was persistent and strict in regimes,
No way to continue my lovely sweet dreams.

I opened the door and Queen Cat swanned inside,
She barked me her orders for food to provide:
‘I have been working, was chasing this mouse,
and you’ve just been lazy’ng about in the house.
And don’t even think that I wasn’t aware
That your fat lazy ass has been touching my chair.’

While speaking, a mouse jumped away from her jaw
And quickly escaped from the huge gaping maw. (muil)
This loss got Queen Cat in a very bad mood.
So I rushed to the kitchen, preparing her food.
Five minutes later, her favorite dish
No veggies, no fruit, just a big fat fried fish.

Next morning Cat said, with a sneer and a scoff: (minachting)
‘I’m bored, I’m tired. I need some time off.’
No sooner had Cat swaggered** out of the room
Than I took a seat, couldn’t wait to resume
My snug little naps in my comfi old chair.
Just peace and no Cat was a breeze of fresh air.

But life without Cat soon felt empty and void
No Cat being grumpy, and always annoyed.
No burden, no duty, no project, no chore
No boss barking orders, no Cat to ignore.
And now I am crying: ‘Oh Sweet souvenir!
Oh Cat, barking Cat! How I wish you were here!’

Tooske Hinloopen, December 2021 – december 2024

*betamen, bekoren
**arrogant lopen