There once was a kitten that used to have fun,

but now is a cat that belongs to no one.

She walks through alleyways, tripping people’s feet,

while searching for dropped hot dogs along the street.

Her eyes once bright and green,

are now quite dull, the colour not longer to be seen.

Her coat, once soft and full, now covered in dirt and ash,

since her only meals are from unwanted trash.

Still trusting and wishing, the cat runs to people, purring to employ,

“Please take me home, I’ll be a friend to your little boy!”

But humans do not see the feline’s words of love,

so they yell and give her a shove.

Men, women, and even children wrinkle their noses and say,

“Who would want a dirty old stray!”

No one wants her today, the cat’s eyes are clear,

so slowly she sulks back to the alley, her heart fills up with tears.

She slips into a cardboard box, finds a rubber band and pretends to play,

for you see my friends, small ones have no words and she has nothing to say.

Winter arrives with chills in the air,

so our little cat if forced back into her lair.

Everything has frozen, no garbage to pick,

so our little stray becomes quite sick.

She’s so tired and weak, no longer wishes to roam,

maybe God will give her a loving home,

So unwanted and forgotten, our little one curls up and quietly passes away…

For you see my friends, who would want a dirty old stray?