The Christmas Cat
By Janis Kunz, East Sierra Branch
Over white-glistening hills, the giant Yule Cat stalks on the prowl,
Bringing fear through the land with its echoing screeches and howl.
It creeps through the cobblestone streets, a listening twitch to its ear.
Searching, with glowing eyes, for anyone who isn’t going to receive new clothes on Yule this year.
Its claws are razor sharp, its teeth long like fangs, and it hungers for Yule presents or extra Yule helpings it can steal,
From those without any gifted new finery, those who it might just make into its Yuletide meal…
But mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, neighbors and kin make sure to fashion clothes for any and all,
So the Yule Cat will pass by their loved ones, who are wearing some piece of new clothing no matter how small.
A new pair of socks or of gloves, infused with heartwarming love, are worn with a smile and a step that is light.
The children are wrapped up in warm new clothing with colors so bright.
And still the Yule Cat slinks though the night, keeping to its search for the desolate and poor,
But it finds laughter, festivities, and Yuletide cheer at every door.
It sharpens its claws and creeps through the alley so dark, on the scent of a little one nearly forgot.
Its shadow hovers at the windows, darkens the snowy stoops, but its prowling is all for not.
For clothes have been lovingly made for all and sundry,
And the Yule Cat, flees off into the night with an angry hiss, knowing that for another year it will go hungry…