Cat
J.R.R. Tolkien
The fat cat on the mat
may seem to dream
of nice mice that suffice
for him, or cream:
but he is free maybe
walks in thought
unbowed, proud, where loud
roared and fought
his kin, lean and slim,
or deep in den
in the East feasted on beasts
and tender men
The giant lion with iron
claw in paw,
and ruthless tooth
in gory jaw;
the pard dark-stained
fleet upon feet
that oft soft from aloft
leaps on his meat.
Where words loom in gloom
far now they be
fierce and free
and tamed is he;
but fat cat on the mat
kept as pet
he does not forget.
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