Gamine

The Assignment: Write a poem in praise of something in the world of nature that is not commonly praised. (without being sappy.)

Gamine

I can not fault her for her taste in chocolate,
Clean linens, paperbacks and over-stuffed chairs.
I love them all myself.

And she certainly is elegant
Moving lightly on dainty feet,  Dressed in black velvet fur.
Quick, observant black eyes, delicate ears,
Refined nose

In the summer house,
left alone for months at a time,
She is like the teenager whose mother and father are gone,
Hosting a party, which gets beyond her. 
I am sure it is only low life acquaintances, crashing the party
Who scatter food, chew carpets, and pee in the bedding,
Abandoning her to her fate
When they hear the parental car climbing the hill home.

Here in town,
A delicate rustling in the walls hints at her presence
I only become certain when the cat lurks,
Enormous and black, low to the ground
By the cupboard where pasta, oatmeal and cocoa are kept.
His patience is surprising after his intolerant yowls for morning food.
Waiting
for the panic which will surely give her away.
His speed is improbable and terrifying when he makes his move
And the terrible game begins.

Despite the droppings in the linen chest,
The chewed corner on the box of fancy baking cocoa,
The wasted food, cleaning and laundry to follow
I step in,
Scooping her from the huge black paws.
I use a wash cloth now,
After my one late night experience with needle sharp teeth,
Lots of blood
And a quick search to find out about mice
Rabies (no) and Tetanus (Yes)

I gently deliver the elegant, fur-clad lady
To the front door
Hoping that memory will keep her from retuning
That she will now heed her wise mother's warning
About the moral and corporal dangers
Of  the city's decadent food, warmth and bedding.

And yet, I am in awe of her daring,
All out of proportion to her size.
Glad
When she scampers away.