We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage / And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die, / We Poets of the proud old lineage / Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why ... (James Elroy Flecker)

3.12.21

The Cheshire Cat on Himself

 The Cheshire Cat on Himself

(with running commentary from human observer)


Mr Carroll (better known to me as Reverend Charles) forgot to mention that I am the breed of cat known as Burmese. We love to climb, are good at it, and unlike some other felines do not get stuck up trees and wail to be brought down. We like it high – and can come down when we care to, e.g. for food.


‘I’m agile, adept’ –

his feline smirk declares

from a lofty branch


It’s true that now you see me, now you don’t. I am indeed the disappearing cat – according to my whim (which means my needs). There are people who swear I dematerialise, then eventually re-materialise, appearing suddenly just when they are certain I have vanished forever.


where has that cat gone?

– oh! where did he come from?

he keeps his secrets


The Reverend got it right about my wisdom. I am the observer, through which I have learned much. Alice was an impulsive child, needing guidance. At least she had sense enough to listen to me, if not often the patience to understand what I was trying to explain. One can but try!


he slow-blinks riddles –
his air inscrutable

yet self-satisfied


What about my famous grin, which successive generations of artists always draw full of menacing teeth? Cats can and do grin with open mouths, but usually in fun. (Otherwise it’s a snarl.) Mine, while cheerful enough, was more of a knowing smile behind closed lips. And still more than that – it was an air, an emanation, a mood conveyed by my whole being. Of course it lingered, even after I removed my bodily self. 


this cat’s expression 

says he has mastered life –

others may ponder






Image  from Unsplash, by Alejandra Coral


Written in response to Friday Writings #5 at Poets and Storytellers United, where Rommy invites us to reveal the point of view of a secondary character in fiction.



25 comments:

  1. Wonderful! I love your pick of secondary character. Knowing cats, he'd disagree, he's second fiddle to no one! "...a knowing smile behind closed lips" is perfect, and much more creepy than those cartoony teeth. I used a character altered by Disney too.

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    1. You are quite right; he would of course perceive himself as, rightfully, the primary character. And who am I to argue?

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  2. Love what you've done here... the cat's point of view and the haikus made me think of "The Master And Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov... lovely!

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  3. Dear Rosemary You excel in your write up here as always. Inspiring entertaining classic amalgamation of prose and poetry.Thanks for sharing.A pleasure to read.

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  4. Rosemary, I finally got into the blog! Something to celebrate. Like this piece especially the cat’s smile.

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    1. Hi Chae, glad you managed it! And even gladder that you liked this piece.

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  5. The Cheshire cat was a lot of fun. A bit mischievous, but I enjoyed it when he showed up.

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  6. You are in your element when writing about cats. :)
    The Cheshire Cat is one of the most interesting characters in the story. it has certainly mastered life, as you said.

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    1. Ha, yes, I have spent most of my life observing them at close quarters – with great affection, obviously.

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  7. Your observations of cat companions are perfect, and your haiku mastery is second to none....again!

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  8. This was delightful, a perfect description of the classic enigmatic character.

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  9. Imagine a life not shared with cats.

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    1. Ha ha, I'd much rather not! Fortunately for me, such a life has not been mine.

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  10. That was awesome, Rosemary! I love the tone and the voice. I can practically see him smirking as he speaks. And the image of the smiling cat at the end is just purrfect.

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  11. I like how you split this up - you have the cat's first person account with your haiku narrations to add flavor.
    Is it terrible to say that I've never read the book and have seen only bits of the Disney film (I submit to everyone's judgement)

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    1. The book is a joy. You're missing a treat.
      I'm glad you enjoyed my efforts.

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  12. Wow! I love your choice of character, and the commentary. So clever!

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