The news seems to have become a never-ending series of terrible events – so this week, I’m sharing a poem about tuna fish sandwiches. Because sometimes you just need a break from it all.
When writing this poem I imagined a child sitting on a picnic table eating a delicious tuna fish sandwich, slowly noticing that they’re being surrounded by cat after cat after cat, all staring longingly at their sandwich. It’s either a dream or a nightmare, depending on how you feel about cats!
For my son and I, this would be a bit of both, as we adore cats, but we’re horribly allergic to them! We love visiting a local bookstore that’s filled with cats, buy we have to admire them from a safe distance, for the sake of our eyes and noses. ATCHOO!
Funny little aside – I desperately wanted a cat growing up, but as both my dad and I had terrible cat allergies and asthma, my mother wisely said no. Well, one day a neighbour found a cat and her kittens in a couch she had out in her carport (we lived in a classy part of town), and she was offering them to anyone who wanted one. I took one, and being the smart kid I was (I think I was around 11 at the time), I bypassed my sensible mother and went straight to my equally cat-obsessed (and allergic) father. I asked if I could have a kitten, and when he said no, I then produced a kitten and said, “But what if I already have one?” My dad took one look at the kitten, and Zipper became a member of the family! Many years of continuous allergy medication use ensued. 😉
I hope everyone is coping with….*gestures around wildly* everything as best as they can, given the state of the world. Sometimes you just need to stop, take a breath, make a tuna fish sandwich (with vegan mayo, in our case, because my son has an egg allergy), and appreciate the majesty of a cat (or two).
This week’s Poetry Friday host is Margaret Simon, at Reflections on the Teche.
Jane, you have made me want to have a tuna sandwich. Tomorrow. I have ciabatta buns, tomatoes and lettuce. I’m out of dill pickles, which is a bit of a problem, but the rest will be good. It is difficult with the state of the world, but kitten stories and tuna sandwiches can help. Your rhyme is sweet too.
Mmmmm that sounds so good! I’m trying to convince my son to try a tuna sandwich – it was such a staple of my school lunch days, but he’s not convinced. 😉
Jane, how I look forward to your Poetry Friday posts! I love your cat story and that you rescued Zipper without hesitation. I have the same love-laden-with-allergies relationship to dogs. Thank heavens for allergy meds because life without dogs (or cats!) would be so lonesome.
I agree! Animals bring so much love and joy to our lives. <3 My poor mother, putting up with my and my dad! ;-D
This would be great for a kids book, Jane! Maybe a whole cat-centered series of poems?
I would love that! As a librarian, cats and cardigans are just par for the course, it’s in my DNA. ;-D
A little tuna, a little cat, a little imagination, a little backstory, a little breather–it has to happen. And thank heaven I mean SCIENCE for antihistamines!
100%!!
Thank you for this smile! And, congrats on your Zipper victory. The story of your poem reminds me of a time I bought some nuts from a park vendor and went to sit under a tree for a snack, and when I looked up there was (quite literally!) a semi-circle of squirrels inching closer to me… maybe I’ll write a poem about that fun-eerie experience one day! – Sarah Grace Tuttle
Oh, that sounds like a perfect premise for a poem! The squirrels at the park near my home are FEARLESS – if you don’t watch out, they’ll climb right up your leg!
This is a timely post. Just yesterday, my tuna-obsessed cat got some relaxation drugs in tuna juice before his ultrasound. (All clear, but still unsure why he’s losing weight.) Every can that’s opened in the kitchen “might be” tuna, so he comes running every time!
Oh, poor sweetie, hope he feels better! My cat was the same way – open any can, and she would appear out of thin air. 🙂
Oh, I love cats so much that my dear allergic husband puts up with them (of course, the cats love them the most out of the humans in our home). There’s something so special about a cat allowing you to give them love…and then giving it right back to you. They are just the best. Great post!
That was the same with us – my dad was absolutely the cat’s favourite human being in the world, even though he most the most allergic! 😉
A PERFECT post & poem for these times, Jane – thank you! I was completely cat obsessed growing up (though dog-crazy too!) and I miss having a kitty around. We’ve had many over all the decades. I have a feeling another one will be in our future again at some point. Zipper was a lucky little felid!
Oh, I was the same, always reading a book about animals!! I begged my mom for a dog, but since my dad wasn’t a dog person, Iwas on my own for that, ha ha! At least he backed me up in getting a cat!
We have had many cats come and go over the years. We have put them all outside because of the peeing problem, not an allergy, but that smell is the worst. You can’t get it out. Your tuna poem is adorable and a refreshing turn from the news. Thanks for joining the round up.
This is so cute, Jane, and an appreciated delight of a distraction from *everything.* I’m so sorry you’re allergic to cats. My mom was too, but she adored cats, so I grew up with them (and adore them too!) She took regular allergy meds too. 🙂
I am more appreciative of pets lately as my son has a dog now. We all love him. I’m allergic to cats, but understand why someone would try to overcome it. Love your poem!
Your poem made me smile. I adore cats, but after our sweet Daisy passed, I didn’t feel like I could give my heart to another kitty. I love your “Zipper” story. : )
I totally get that – Zipper has never been replaced! She was mostly feral, wild and unpredictable, but she certainly had spunk, and had us all wrapped around her little toe beans!