Tessa's Success.

Another piece of Tessa-adventure.

She stared at the feathers.
Quite new to Tessa this dainty patch
of fluttery white.
The garden path glowed
and Tess slowed down in her tracks.

Cat's dawn-work
was first to occur to me as the cause.
Tessa walked on finding
other white quills littering the floor.
She then started
to bark low and began a quick sorté
almost like stalking.

Silent she went alongside the old
greenhouse then
sniffed a scent, I was concerned,
could this be
circumvented and where was the
bird and would
Tess try to catch or hurt it again.

What was I to do ?
A familiar sight is a small flock of
pigeons winging
their circle over the branches and
stopping to coo.
Was the catch one of those ?

Tessa suddenly honed into a spot
behind the big
water-butt and there sat a small
pigeon wedged into
the corner, eyes closed as if still in
great shock
the dog's silent movement began
slow canine crawls.

I had no fear Tessa would harm it,
she looked over
her shoulder for what I thought of
proposing, picked
up one feather and let it fall over
the victim's head
as if to make sure I knew where
to go when
later the owner came to collect
his injured.

He viewed Tess, he said, to be
very clever, a pup
who undertook all events after
appraising them,
this dog in saving such bird, he
next said,
deserved great commendation.

I could not but
agree that Tessa's success had
naught to do either
with me nor should it be based
on facing mere
chance, she had worked out, no
doubt, how
to enhance her own reputation.

The bird will
I am sure often act as if grateful
now home and
cat-proof, for Tessa had marked
her as one to
be rescued and safe she now coos
again in her loft.

Incidently that feline, seen before
in my garden, has
not again bent to go on the prowl
or been caught
doing anything less ordinary than
whining loudly at night.

Which leaves Tessa basking in light
of her glory
while stalking her boundaries and
chasing strange cats.

Published January 24, 2012

Karin Anderson
I missed this precious poem Fay and what a beautiful one to share with your friends. What a gorgeous poet Tessa is, especially now she is basking in her light and glory. Pets allow us to take the focus of ourselves and we are drawn into their magic I have found~

kath
I knew it Fay!!!!! I always knew you had a tiny heroine in black fluff on your hands! She has a golden heart and an eye for the next chance to charm the socks of whoever is around. Just look at that photo you posted with this marvellous poem! I dare anyone to resist such a littl ebundle of sheer lovliness! :) kath (Tessa's #1 fan) xxxxxxx

Sandra Martyres
A charming write Fay. I can imagine you smiling proudly at Tessa's good act for the day....

Dream Weaver
this is such a lovely way to keep memories of Tessa's adventures. She certainly is a canny little dog...guardian and protector of the weaker. I look forward to the next Tessa-adventure:)

Carl Harris
This is a very charming and well written poem focusing on the eternal rivalry of predator and prey, except in this instance, Tessa intervened in the nick of time, depriving that prowling cat of a pigeon breakfast. As you so often do, Fay, you've written another wonderfully charming poem. Carl.