Cat Scratch Contract

I decided to join the circus, you see,
since those lions and tigers are special to me.
Every roar that I hear, every growl from the cat
is a joy, so the circus is where I’ll be at.

(Yes I know cats can scratch due to serious claw,
  and, in fact, long ago I was slow to withdraw
  as my tabby once got me, incising my skin;
  yet despite scratching danger, I’m still taken in.)

It was Bailey I talked to and did it with ease
‘neath the top that was big with a flying trapeze.
So he proffered a contract and hired me so
to take care of said cats which I thought apropos.

Then Bill Barnum escorted me to lion cage,
and he jokingly lowed about my starting wage.
“Worry not, Bill,” I said, “Oh the wages are fine,
  lest I would have not signed on that old dotted line.”

(I’ve a way with the feline for empathy sake,
  though I’m perfectly leery since those claws can take
  out a huge hunk of me causing untidy red,
  sending me beyond first aid to hospital bed.)

Ah, the circus to me a complete pleasure trip,
though with purr I would urge cats to not let it rip
as those meat hooks called paws swift in muscular set
loomed like sinewy weapons--to be sure, a threat.

Bengal Tiger my charge, such a beautiful thing;
and like MGM trademark, the beast that is king.
Both the lion and Bengal received well my care;
(tender words took the place of a whip and a chair.)

So my care for the cats hardly ever went south;
I could just about put my head into the mouth
of the lion without any fear that he’d bite;
yet the swipe of the cats was on my mind, all right.

I would snuggle right up to the lion in purr,
and would ride on the back of the Bengal for sure.
Yet I knew of the risk dealing with wild beast;
and though I loved my job, I was not to be fleeced.

I just had to go back to my bosses one day
for a contract adjustment to get hazard pay.
Caution my court of law--cat’s paw gave me some pause;
so to my circus contract they added a clause.


40 Lines
Writer’s Cramp
3-15-16