I’m getting a cat To eat all my rats Those big fat rats Now my cat is fat And eats no more more rats For there are no more rats in my flat

I’m getting a cat Hope it doesn’t ruin my fancy mat …on my mat it spat Then ran away, and into the wall it went splat

I got a cat It jumped on my lap as I sat So I gave it a pat I think I will get it a cute hat My cat does not say a word, it will not chat

I have a cat My brother to it is such a brat So on his face my cat sat And when it sees my brat, my cat will scat

A man asked if he could have a cat He wanted to teach it how to bat My cat does not like bats I told the man he better scat I love my cat

I have a cat My cat fought another cat They were both very good at combat

I had a cat Someone tried to take my cat A lady with a big vat She lived with lots of bats Come back, cat!

…I miss my cat

Back home is my cat It did not like those bats But it liked the lady’s rats My cat again is fat

More cats my cat has begat I now have many cats I gave those new cats away As advised by my friend Nat

To the lad who liked to bat To the person who sold bats To the lady who sold vats And for the lady with a vat and bats A big, black cat!

I gave a cat to my good friend Nat She had a big problem with gnats But her new cat smushed them flat Now Nat has no more gnats

Though he may be fat And often go splat And begat too many cats And ruin my nice mats

I still love my cat

All flowers have the potential to bloom Perhaps some more than others But all have the chance The potential To be something more Than just a plant Than just a weed But to bring more beauty To the world around them To make someone smile Lift someone up Help those in need The potential resides within all of them But will they act on it?

You’ll never know what’s in it Until you open the cupboard Others may tell you But are they telling the truth? Until you open the cupboard You can never know for sure

Children see bees As small Yet scary Frightening things Angry attackers With stingers at the ready Just waiting For an excuse To strike But the truth is Bees offer honey Far more readily Then they sting

Bernard: hello old friend.

Princess Sparkles: Oh hello, nice to see you. How’s life been treating you?

Bernard: same old, same old. And you?

Princess Sparkles: nothing much. Nothing exciting happens to us dogs when we’re this age.

Bernard: ain’t that the truth! Sometimes I wish I was more like them humans, living out my life like there ain’t no tomorrow. Alas, Karla needs me, and what could I do without her? Humans can’t understand me, and I got no money. sigh

Princess Sparkles: snorts I can’t believe they’re still so clueless. Thinking we’re all idiots or something. What happened to being the smartest race? We’ve been living with them for ages, yet they have trouble understanding even the simplest bark or wag of the tail . But us? We’ve known their language since the beginning of “man’s best friend” and would be speaking it with the best of them if not for our incapable bodies. Sometimes it’s just so frustrating. Sorry, Bernard, I didn’t mean to rant like that, I guess I’m just tired. Haven’t been able to get enough sleep since the new pups.

Bernard: naw, it’s fine, it’s good to get your emotions out every once in a while. How are the pups, by the way? Not giving you too much trouble, I hope?

Princess Sparkles: (wryly) crazy. And rowdy. And destructive. Ace has already chewed through three good shots, the little stinker. And Cheeto is always zipping around the house, he shattered Mia’s good vase today.

Bernard: (interrupting) uh-oh! The nice one from aunt Janet? Mia loves that one! I think it’s kinda ugly, though.

Princess Sparkles: glares at Bernard yes, that one. He got a big timeout, and we both gave him a talk, but I’m not sure hope much good that’ll do. Charlotte’s the best of the bunch. Never getting into trouble, that one. But I’m kinda worried about her, truth be told. She gets scared easily, and the kids frighten her. Often I’ll find her curled up behind the sofa, hiding from all the noise and chaos. But for the most part, the pups are happy, the kids are happy, and usually, so are the parents.

Bernard: poor little Charlie. Want me to talk to her on Saturday when Me and Kayla come over for dinner?

Princess Sparkles: (gives a little start) Oh! I’d forgotten about that. Yes, if it wouldn’t be too much of a hassle. You and Charlie are just so close. She’s lucky to have a mutt like you around.

Bernard: no problem. Oh, before I forget, I have a new wires for Charlie: ultracrepidarian. It means someone who who gives opinions on topics they know nothing about.

Princess Sparkles: oh, that’s a hard one! She’ll like that! Oh, Henry’s calling for me, bye!

It happened again I’ve been here before Done these same things Said the same words

Sometimes I can tell what’s ahead Just a glimpse Of what will happen next I know what happens as it happens Because I’ve been here before

But sometimes It’s different Then what I expect Not the same things Not the same words Yet this is the same, I know So how? How is it different?