Image credit: Vlad Gerasimov at http://www.vladstudio.com
I found a cat upon a tree
Who grinned and grinned quite viciously
This cat could speak – so very strange!
All preconceptions re-arranged
He smiled and simply asked me ‘Who?’
As owls may speak, but seldom do
He waited on my answer yet
With twinkling eyes I won’t forget
‘Who what?’ I asked as my reply
With this he simply answered ‘Why?”
He curled his tail and sniffed the air
Pretending that I wasn’t there
‘Who are you, or rather why?’
He offered finally, by and by
His eyes affixed me like a trance
Chimera lost in circumstance
‘And I may ask the same of you’
I answered tartly, as I do
‘A cat that speaks atop a tree
Makes scarcely less good sense than me!”
‘Who and why and when perchance?’
He answered, merry in his dance
‘And will you answer, if not why?’
His manner silky, ever sly
‘I do not understand your quest’
I answered, ‘Let the matter rest’
‘But say I were you and you were me’
He offered next elliptically
‘If that was so’ he finally said
‘I know I’d answer you instead’
But what he asked made little sense
This cat here played at my expense
‘I’m not your mouse’ was all I’d say
And quickly bid this cat good-day
And as I wandered into blue
He purred and quietly whispered ‘Who?”
(c) Helen Valentina 2014, All Rights Reserved
For mindlovemisery’s prompt at: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/prompt-51-complete-bafflement/
helenvalentina 
This is absolutely fabulously fantastical it is like Alice and the Wonderland written by Dr. Seuss! Love it =)
Thanks so much – the picture was a great inspiration. I found it earlier today and wondered how I’d use it, then your prompt was perfect!! 🙂 🙂
Stole the words right out of my mouth. Exactly what I was thinking. 🙂
Thank you!! 🙂
A witty and entertaining write.
Thank you so much!! 🙂 🙂
Yes, I saw the Cheshire Cat too. Interesting dialogue and complete bafflement!
Thanks, yes, it’s an iconic inspiration, and very suitable for the prompt I think. 🙂
Very suitable, well done Helen 🙂
Great Helen, loved it, you captured complete bafflement so very neatly. Well done.
Thanks Michael!! 🙂 🙂
Superb and lovely!
Thanks so much!! 🙂
This was so delicious and entertaining. A lovely poem and fun to read aloud! 🙂
Thanks so much!! 🙂 🙂
You are welcome. It would make a lovely story…it had that Alice in Wonderland feel to it.
Thank you, I must admit the picture made me think of the Chesire Cat, so it was a kind of homage, and lots of fun to write. 🙂
I love This! It made me smile and smile and Smile!
Thank you, that is so kind!! 🙂 🙂
Fantastic!!!!! Cheshire Cat-esque….with a hint of that smokin’ caterpillar, too!! 🙂 Helen!! You are not appearing in my mail or reader….I popped over from Roxi’s blog. Sigh….do not want to miss anything. Will have to add and follow you again. Maybe that will work. Hugs!!!
Thanks Skye! WordPress can be tricky sometimes!! 🙂
Not sure if it is me unfollowing people from my iPhone or wordpress. It is so frustrating, though. ❤
Great concept, narrative and humour Helen; dialogue it not an easy device to weave into poetry but you have done so with confidence and excellence. Kudos.
Thanks so much!! 🙂
Love this, so much fun!
Thanks Ionia!! 🙂
interesting, cats are so wise, hope to read more of your stuff, fine work
Thanks so much!! 🙂 🙂