The Joy of Kittens

I wake to mewlings on the bed,
My eyelids feel like lumps of lead.
I think the clock says ten past three
And then I fully wake to see it's kitten-time!
It's kitten time! O happy, happy kitten-time.

By morning's light I counted four,
All firmly held by mother's paw,
And reassuring purrings tell
That mum and kits are doing well.
It's kitten-time! It's kitten-time!
Oh most endearing kitten-time.

It's two weeks now and opened eyes
Survey the world in mild surprise.
And what a joy it is to know
That they can love each other so.
It's kitten time! It's kitten-time!
Oh most rewarding kitten-time.

By six weeks old, they're on the beds,
The curtain bottoms torn to shreds.
While mum eats two whole tins a day
And I'm the one who has to pay!
It's kitten time! It's kitten-time!
Oh most expensive kitten-time.

Three months now passed, and all too soon,
The kittens leave this afternoon.
I know that mum and I will cry
The moment we have said 'good-bye'.
That's kitten-time! That's kitten-time!
The saddest, saddest kitten-time.

But though the people came by car,
We know they've not gone very far,
And every mum must surely know
Their little ones will one day go.
And we both heard the people say
"Oh happy, happy kitten-day!"

Nokomis