Moggius Decrepitus

1. He is old and he is wise
as he surveys with rheumy eyes,
a world that has changed
with every year.
He walks with pain and pride
roaming gardens far and wide,
stopping in any patch of
medicinal sun.

2. The world that he knows best
is gone and put to rest,
the young ones are in charge
of mousing now.
His coat is long and tattered
his ears look rather battered,
the young cats know he's well
beyond his prime.

3. But they carefully defer
to the man with graying fur,
knowing that his wisdom
beats their own.
He gives them sound advice
in return for captured mice,
whom he plays with for a while
out in the sun.

4. But his appetite is slow
so he often lets them go,
in exchange for lumps of cheese
for toothless gums.
His progeny is numerous
and some do find it humorous,
to watch him count how many
on his claws.

5. Twenty sons he counts with pride
then stretching his claws out wide,
he enumerates for twice as
many daughters.
His grandkits would take twenty cats
all with their claws stretched out like that,
but he is content to spend that time
just thinking.

6. Life has been good to this old cat
plenty of food and a sleeping mat,
a life wisely led by a level head
and well used.

7. So what if his hearing's all shot
and he coughs and limps a lot?
So what if his fur's all patchy
and well matted?
He can still shot the breeze
with old, arthritic knees,
and his new wife's expecting
more kittens.

8. So don't write off this ageing moggie
just ensure his food's all soggy,
give him love and a little stepladder
and he will reward you by living forever!