Poetry For and About Big Cats

 Circus Tiger

Cry and cry, without a voice,Work and work, without a choice.Crack of whip and clang of cage,Work and work, without a wage.Stolen, newborn, from their mothers,Lives are governed by the others.Terror of the whip and Master,Make mistake and whip goes faster.Punished if they don’t obey,Never granted their own way.Cower, loathe, and fear the whipEven if they only trip.Broken spirit, tired, hungry.Famished tiger, sad and angry.Life in tiny jail of darkness,Never shown a bit of kindness.All the food there is to eatIs tiny rotten bits of meat.Deemed emotionless they lieIn tiny cage until they die.© Rachael Weiss 2016 

Thor the Bobcat

Although your rehab has been slow,We all just wanted you to know,When we gave you a second chance,Thor Houdini Fancypants,We loved you so, and crossed our paws,And hoped you’d live, Thor ThunderclawsYou took your chance, and more than that,You stole our hearts you stubborn cat,Today we set you free to runAcross the land beneath the sun,To be who you were born to be,A wild bobcat, fierce and free.© Rachael Weiss 2016

Teisha Tiger

Teisha the Tiger, so sweet and so strong,She lived a life that was hard and was long.All of the tigers locked in beat her up,Lying on concrete, she couldn’t stand up.Dinner was fatty leftovers of meat,And that was all that they gave her to eat.Then one day, Teisha and all of the restWere rescued by angels, and only the best.Teisha had never been treated so nice,Now she was living in near paradise.Without her strong will she’d never have livedTo see goodness and feel what it’s like to be loved.The rescuer angels loved Teisha and nursedHer back to her feet, though she wobbled at first,She learned how to run to the Keepers and chuff,And splash in her pool, she could not get enough.Teisha the tiger enjoyed her new lifeAnd never looked back on her previous strife.One day, she couldn’t stand up on her feet.Dragging was all she could do for a treat.Everyone wondered if there was no hope,But Teisha the strong-willed, to that thought said ‘nope’.She knew that the humans would do all they could.If she had to be put down she knew that they would.Although they feared giving up on her was nearTeisha would give up on nothing but fear.She stood up again, but her body just broke.Everyone knew that it wasn’t a joke.Though six months of freedom had been so much fun,Her lifetime of torture could not be undone.Teisha the tiger accepted her fate.No one could save her now, it was too late.Teisha the fighter, the fearless, the brave,Now lay forever with tears round her grave.The memory of Teisha will not soon grow oldAnd we will make sure that her story is told.© Rachael Weiss 2016

Swimming in the rain

I used to be a circus act,Beaten, mocked, abused and whacked.But I was rescued, that’s a fact.Now I’m swimming in the rain.But now I’m home, I’m here to stay,With my own lake to splash and play,And mini forest hide-away.I’m swimming in the rain.The power of the thunder crashAnd fearsome shock of lightning’s flashMake it fun to swim and splash.I’m swimming in the rain.© Rachael Weiss 2016 

BROKEN PRIDE

 I have seen the Serengeti through eyes of gold.I have been hunted for my mane, both young and old.Can you hear my roar, I have a name, I am the King of my domain.A forgotten breed, longing to be freed.I roam the land, where my ancestors took final stands.Paw prints of pride; I will take my last stride.I FIGHT for my kingdom, I FIGHT for our freedom.I continue to FIGHT, for what I believe in….Gina Schopmeyer  2015

Especially for the Ocelot

Lets hope the Feline walk the earth with majesty and grace

I like other furriers did put them in their place

We hunted and abused them

Great shame I feel today

For woman to adorn herself to keep the cold at bay

Lets hope this awful trade we knew

Will never come again

The mind to kill and skin a beast

For pure financial gain

Lets hope we?ve learned our lesson

To keep the human body warmAnd seek some other ways

On bitter winter days

But if bitterness the answer

No more can one man say

May the Lord have mercy on my soul

For the way I earned my payFormer Fur Trader- Ronnie 

Hamlet's Cat's Soliloquy

To go outside, and there perchance to stayOr to remain within, that is the question:Whether 'tis better for a cat to sufferThe cuffs and buffets of inclement weatherThat Nature rains on those who roam abroad,Or take a nap upon a scrap of carpet,And so by dozing melt the solid hoursThat clog the clock's bright gears with sullen timeAnd stall the dinner bell. To sit, to stareOutdoors, and by a stare to seem to stateA wish to venture forth without delay,Then when the portal's opened up, to standAs if transfixed by doubt. To prowl; to sleep;To choose not knowing when we may once moreOur readmittance gain: aye, there's the hairball;For if a paw were shaped to turn a knob,Or work a lock or slip a window-catch,And going out and coming in were madeAs simple as the breaking of a bowl,What cat would bear the household's petty plagues,The cook's well-practiced kicks, the butler's broom,The infant's careless pokes, the tickled ears,The trampled tail, and all the daily shocksThat fur is heir to, when, of his own free will,He might his exodus or entrance makeWith a mere mitten? Who would spaniels fear,Or strays trespassing from a neighbor's yard,But that the dread of our unheeded criesAnd scratches at a barricaded doorNo claw can open up, dispels our nerveAnd makes us rather bear our humans' faultsThan run away to unguessed miseries?Thus caution doth make house cats of us all;And thus the bristling hair of resolutionIs softened up with the pale brush of thought,And since our choices hinge on weighty things,We pause upon the threshold of decision.-- Shakespaw

                              Trading Places

I am the one looking at you through metal fencingYou are the one, on the other side, that I am sensing.I have seen your kind many times before,Sometimes I see a few of you, sometimes more.My eyes follow you whether it is near or far away,My senses aware of you, whether it be night or day.My eyes can see you from between the trees and the brush,As you stalk me and I hear you telling others to hush.You hush but I can still hear and feel you near,And I look and I can smell and feel: you are here.My curiosity usually does get the best of me,When I get up to approach you, from underneath my tree.At times I will deceive you with my natural charm,My greeting to you will be friendly and warm.Some of you fear me, as you surely should,Thinking I might harm you if only I could?At times I will want to be where you are,At times I will want to walk away: To be far.My eyes are clear and yet they seem to deceive me,And I know that your world is different than the one that I see.For one brief moment I will be close to you and we touch,We will never know whether it means a little, or just how much.I will linger around you and my departure I'll postpone,But then you leave again, and I am still all alone.I will look back as I'm walking away,My instincts are urging me to roam and go astray.I look back at you, the one that is roaming free.I look ahead of me and walk away, and wish that it was me.By Volunteer, Brigitte IvoryGreat cat quotes:"There is no snooze button on a cat whowants breakfast." --Unknown"Thousands of years ago, cats wereworshipped as gods. Cats havenever forgotten this." --Anonymous"Cats are smarter than dogs. Youcan't get eight cats to pull a sledthrough snow." --Jeff Valdez"As every cat owner knows,nobody owns a cat." --Ellen PerryBerkeley"Dogs come when they're called;cats take a message and get back toyou later." --Mary Bly"Cats are rather delicate creaturesand they are subject to a goodmany ailments, but I never heard of onewho suffered from insomnia."--Joseph Wood Krutch"People who hate cats, will comeback as mice in their next life."--Faith Resnick"There are many intelligent speciesin the universe. They are allowned by cats." --Anonymous"I have studied many philosophers andmany cats. The wisdom of catsis infinitely superior." --Hippolyte Taine"Dogs believe they are human.Cats believe they are God."

Volunteers

Many will be shocked to find,When the day of judgment nears,That there is a special place in HeavenSet aside for volunteers.Furnished with big recliners,Satin couches and footstools,Where there are no committee chairmen,No yard sales or rest area coffee to serve,No library duty or bulletin assembly,There will be nothing to print and staple,Not one thing to fold and mail,Telephone lists will be outlawed.But a finger snap will bringCool drinks and gourmet dinnersAnd rare treats fit for a kingYou ask "Who will serve these privileged fewAnd work for all they're worth?"Why, all those who reaped the benefits,And not once volunteered on Earth.Author Unknown.  Submitted by Doug Edwards and Kelly DornThis is a poem done in the Hebrew format of taking the alphabet from A-Z and writing eight lines per letter. This poem is about God?s nature and power using statements from Psalms 8, 11, 12, 13, 16, 19, 23, 34, 39, 46, 47, 50, 62, 63, 81, 90, 97, 104, 115, 135, 139 and others:Afterwards, we will live with God forever in his home.All have heard of God?s justice.All wisdom comes from God?s law.Angels are God?s messengers.Angels are God?s servants of fire.Answers come from God when we ask him.Assigned by God, the moon marks the months.Assigned by God, the sun marks the days.Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need.Beyond words, God is awesome.Birds nest beside streams by God?s design.Blessings overflow from God.Boast of all of God?s kindness to us.Boundaries of the seas were set by God.Bread is given by God to man for strength.Bridegroom going to his wedding describes the radiance of the sun God made.Calamity will overtake the wicked as God deems.Close is God to those whose hearts are breaking.Closely we follow God; protected by his strong right arm.Clouds are the chariots of God.Commander of the armies of heaven is here among us.Constantly speak of God?s glory and grace.Counsel comes to us from God.Craftsmanship of God is marvelously displayed in the heavens.Dawn and sunset shout for the joy of God.Day and night the heavens tell of the glory of God.Death will not frighten me with God near.Delicious food is provided by God in presence of our enemies.Desirableare God?s laws.Devastating fire surrounds God.Down from heaven, God?s mercies shower us.Dust is all that is left when God gathers up breath.Each and every trouble of a good man receives help from God.Earth is clothed by God with floods of water.Earth is full of God?s riches.Earth trembles at God?s glance.Eternal are God?s laws.Everyone depends upon God to give them daily food.Every nation sees God?s glory.Exalt God?s name and praise him.Failing health is restored by God.Faults are hidden by God?s cleansing.Fear will vanish when walking in the valley of death because God is close by.Fire goes before God and burns up his foes.Firmament shows God?s handiwork.For the eyes of God watch all that live good lives.Forest folk come out at night in darkness created by God.Freedom from our fears comes from God.God deals bountifully with me.God gives me my share of pleasant meadows.God guards all that is mine.God is always with me.God is my highest joy.God loves righteousness.God protects the lives of his people.God tells me what to do.Hallelujah, praise Jehovah.Hand of God is open wide to feed all creatures.Heart, body and soul are filled with the joy of God.Heavens declare God?s glory.Heavens declare God?s perfect righteousness.His countenance beholds the upright.How God must rejoice in all his work.How great God is.I have no other help but God?s.I have trusted in God?s mercy.I put my trust in God.I will praise God to my last breath.I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.In the seas, the whale that God made plays.In times of trouble, God is our tested help.In wisdom, God made all.Jehovah is King.Joy of life is abundant when God is near.Joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race describes the sun God created.Joy?s source is God.Judgment from God will be with complete fairness.Judgments of God are true and righteous altogether.Just are God?s aws.Justice is the foundation of God?s throne.Keenly thinking about us is our God.Keep your lips from lying and God will bless you.Keeping us from accidents shows God?s protection.Key to only hope of mankind is God.Kindness and love from God should stay in our thoughts.King of all the earth is our God.Knitting of all our delicate parts in the womb was done by God.Known throughout the earth is the name of God.Law of the Lord is perfect.Let all discouraged take heart in God?s kindness.Let all that refuse to praise God, perish.Light to make us wise comes from God?s laws.Lightning from God flashes across the world.Long, good life comes from obeying God.Lord is great.Lord planted the cedars of Lebanon.Man cultivates trees, vegetables and grain per God?s command.May God be pleased by all these thoughts of him.May the Lord cut off all flattering lips.Mighty oceans, teeming with great and small, were made by God.Mountains are pastures created by God for wild goats.Mountains burst into flame at God?s touch.Mountains melt like wax before God.My heart shall rejoice in God?s salvation.Name of the Lord is great.Nations are glad that God reigns.Nations in the world will honor God, Commander of heaven.Nations rant and rave in anger but when God speaks, the earth melts in submission.Natural lightning sent by God brings down the rain.Never lack any good thing when you reverence God.New life is born when God sends his spirit.Noise of thunder comes with God.O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.Oh, put God to the test and see how kind he is.Olive oil is given by God as lotion for man?s skin.Only God was there from the beginning.Our only hope is in the Lord.Our refuge and strength is in God.Overpowered by sins, we can only be saved by God.Overwhelmed by God?s wrath, we must obey.Pardon will come from God for all that take refuge in himPenalties are mete out by God on those who hate the good.Perfect are God?s laws.Praise the Lord nomater what happens.Praised evrywhere is the salvation from God.Protection is given by God?s laws.Punishment comes frm God.Pure are God?s laws.Quadrupeds and all other animals belong to God.Quadruple blessings for those God loves.Quaking, everyone will stand in awe and confess the greatness of God?s miracles.Quarrelsome people God hates.Quickly God will help and not delay those who do good.Quiet streams are blessings from God.Quietly the raging oceans cease when God speaks.Quivering evil men know God sees their every move and thought.Rain is sent by God and fills the earth with fruit.Rescue comes from God to those who are humbly sorry for their sins.Rescued from wicked are God?s people.Rest in the meadow grass is blessing from God.Righteousness is the foundation of God?s throne.Robed with honor, majesty and light is God.Rock-badgers burrow in rocks provided by God and find protection there.Rotting in the grave does not frighten me.Safety is given by God.Save me, O God.Seas were formed when God hollowed out the earth.Silent in the skies, the heavens? message about God reaches out to the entire world.Streams by God?s design give water for all animals to drink.Streams by God?s hands gush from the mountains.Stretched out starry curtain was made by God.Sun lives in the heavens where God placed it.Tender grass at God?s command grows to feed cattle.The Lord is in his holy temple.The Lord loves those who hate evil.The Lord tests the righteous.The Lord?s throne is in heaven.They are satisfied with God?s bountiful provisions.Tongues that speak proud things will be cut off by the Lord.Turning away from God, one loses all.Ultimate attention comes from God when his children cry to him.Ultimately, God will vindicate his people.Unfailing kindness from God will be with me all of my life.United with God, we can rejoice beneath the protecting shadow of his wing.Unmoved, God?s stands despite turmoil everywhere.Until we die, God is our guide.Upon the earth, God causes wars to end.Upon the wicked, God will rain coals.Valleys have springs in them formed by God.Valleys sank to levels God decreed.Variety of animals and plants has been made by God.Vast ocean beds were formed by God?s word.Very warmly we are welcomed by God as his guests.Vibrantly honor God for his help.Violence is escaped when we obey God?s laws.Violence is hated by God.We happily crown God as our king.What a wonderful inheritance God has for me.When we look into the night skies, we see the work of God?s fingers.Wickedness is hated by God.Wings of the wind provide God with a ride.Wisdom is given to me from God.Words of God are pure.World is bound by God so it doesn?t fall apart.X-cept for God?s healing, we would be sick.X-cept for God?s mercy, we would be lost.X-cept for God?s mist rising through the earth, we would be parched.X-cept for God?s pity, we would be weak.X-cept for God?s strength, we would be weak.Xenophobia (fear of foreigners) is nonexistent because God saves good men.Xerophyte (plant) and all other plants and trees were made by God.Xerxes and all other rulers are nothing compared to God sitting on his holy throne.Yearning for aid, we know God is our helper and shield.Years are like days to the Lord.Years are long and heavy beneath God?s wrath.Yellow honey dripping from a honeycomb is not as sweet as God?s laws.Yes, darkness and light are both alike to God.Yet when God speaks, man turns back to dust.Yielding succeeds for those who obey God?s laws.Young lions are dependent upon God for their food.Zeal for God will be rewarded.Zealous labor for God will ensure he will feed us with the choicest of food.Zenith is God?s loving-kindness and rewards to those working for him.Zephyr (west wind) God sends from his treasures.Zero sins escape the eye of God.Zest for righteous living will bring God?s compassion on his servants.Zion is God?s home.Zion was established forever by God.By:  Barbara Stairs Below is a poem from Matt Clark using the Hebrew styling of taking in order the letters of the alphabet to start out each line. The letter "x" does require some creativity.Almighty Thy strength, O LordBlessed are Thy ways,Calm serenity in Thy WordDelivers us through our days.Excellent Thy power, O God,Fullness of grace, you fill our needs,Guided by thy loving rod,Holy pathways, Thy Son?s light leads.I am bound for Thy promised land,Jesus, joy of a loving heart.Kindly protect with Thy loving hand,Lord, in Thy mercy, all love impart.Marvelous grace, infinite mercy,Nearer, still nearer, my God to Thee,O Master, let me walk with Thee,Purer in heart, help me to be.Quiet strength, we glean from Thy word,Remembering who we are each day,Seeking first Thy kingdom, O Lord,Then showing others Thy precious Way.Under Thy wings, keep us, Father,Virtuous, gracious for all Thou hast given,Walking in the Spirit of His sacrifice,Xalted thou art, there is no other,You are the meaning, our reason for living,Zealously wearing

LIVING LOVE

If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your life you will always remember...

The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may have asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a breeder.

Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just chosen that silly looking mutt in a shelter - simply because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore, and claim its special place in your hall or front room - and when you feel it brush against you for the first time - it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many years to come.

The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later. It will be a day like any other. Routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will look at your longtime friend and see age where you once saw youth. You will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. And you will see sleep where you once saw activity. So you will begin to adjust your friend's diet - and you may add a pill or two to her food. And you may feel a growing fear deep within yourself, which bodes of a coming emptiness. And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off, until the third day finally arrives.

And on this day, if your friend and God have not decided for you, you will be faced with making a decision of your own - on behalf of your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you, you will feel as alone as a single star in the dark night.

If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you.

But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul - a bit smaller in size than your own - seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come. And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, you may feel something brush against your leg - very very lightly. And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lay - you will remember those three significant days.

The memory will most likely be painful, and leave an ache in your heart. As time passes the ache will come and go as it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.

But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when - along with the memory of your pet, and piercing through the heaviness in your heart - there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love - like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow - and be there for us to remember.

It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, perhaps to join our Beloved Pets - it is a Love that we will always possess.

Written By: Martin Scot Kosins and submitted by Jane Fields & Brigitte Ivory

Extinction Is ForeverThe proud and mighty Lion,Did roam the deserts of EarthLioness protects cubs cryingProtects them from this strange new birth.This birth was one of mankindAn unforgivable raceThey didn't use their mind.They were not afraid to show their faceRecklessly hunting and slaughtering,Without considerationThe danger they were causing,Might erase the Lion Nation.If we don't start to be more kindFrom this Earth, the Lions we'll severI only ask, "Please use your mind,Extinction is Forever!"By: Jamie Veronica************************************** 

Lakota's Bleeding Hearts

The morning since you passed away

The night before that broke my heart

The Bleeding Heart bloomed full today

A birth from death we?re all a part

You bare escaped death oft before

So many prayers were said for you

Your birth was from death even more

Than most of your kind ever knew

You never knew your mother?s kiss

Nor could you know I wasn't she

And never did you challenge this

As being what your life should be

Though you were sick and oft in pain

You met each day with strength anew

And never did you once complain

Of all your illness put you through

You gave me hope, when every morn

I?d come to see, with bated breath

For fear this was the day I'd mourn

To see if you had escaped death

For years now you had grown so strong

That each day I felt more assured

That we had overcome the wrong

Through love and faith we had endured

I called to you, but no reply

And knew my heart was soon to break

Only death could part you and I

And this was more than I can take.

Carole Stairs Lewis 6/12/98

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The following quote is from a speech by Chief Seattle in 1854. I think it says a lot about fundamental stewardship ;

"How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land ? The idea is     strange to us. Every part of the earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine     needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and      humming insect is holy . .If we sell you land, you must remember that it is sacred, and you must teach     your children that it is sacred, . .And what is humanity without the beast ? If all the beasts were gone, humanity would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to humans. All things are connected. This we know. The earth does not belong to humanity, humans belong to the earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected."

Promise Yourself

Promise yourself to be so strong

That nothing can disturb your peace of mind

To talk health, happiness and prosperity

To every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel

That there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything

And make your optimism come true.

To think only the best

And expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others

As you are about your own.

To forgive the mistakes of the past

And press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times

And give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself

That you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry,

Too noble for anger, too strong for fear

And too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

The Blue Cat

Key West Florida.

A SAD FAREWELL 

On May 29, 1995, under a Gemini moona beautiful LEO was born.His future was not to be the "King of Beasts",but the "King of my Heart".He was christened "Mufasa"This noble and gentle "beast",was the "Stuff that legends are made of".Not the legends of ferocity, but of docility.Not of Man-eaters, but as man's companion & friend. His powerful paws were not equippedwith the razor sharp claws of his birthright that would bring death & destruction, but they were the paws that reached out and touched the hearts of all who entered his domain. Sarabi was his pride, he was our "Pride & Joy"!She will know that every clash of thunder,will be him roaring from the heavens to tell us that he is well.It is there that he will wait patiently for us to be a family again.His funny little walk told the story of the abuse & neglect by the drug addicts who brought him into the world to sell for a quick fix.The endless sea of toys he leaves behindtells the story of how much he was loved by those who gave him protection and a home.On September 26, 1996 at 2:00 a.m.his flame was extinguished forever,but at the same time -a new star in the night sky was born.Like the memories he leaves behind,It will shine forever!

The Twelve Days of WildLife

On the twelvth day of WildLife

I rose early, just to see:

12 Spraying Servals

11 Broken Hoses

10 Red Shirts Weeding

9 Ocelots "Rrrring"

8 Leopards Swatting

7 Caracals Hissing

6 Hungry Bobcats

5 COUGAR PILES!

4 Late Tour Guests

3 Ferocious Geoffroys

2 Stool Samples

and a bearcat in need of feed-ing!

By Someone who knows Big Cat Rescue well.