`Twas the night before Christmas,
and all through the house
all the creatures were stirring,
including the mouse
And all of the animals - the birds and the cats
Awaiting the Big Guy
(you know: white beard and a sack)
They nibbled the treats, set out with great care
Careful to avoid getting milk in their hair
Then they stretched on the carpet,
and lounged on the couch,
“He’s late,” they complained,
“that lazy old slouch!”
They had a proposal they wanted to place
To Mr. Claus himself, direct to his face
Yet as the night lingered, sleep was their escape
Except for one kitten climbing the drapes
She’d napped most of the day
and was now fully alert
(‘Though covered with schmutz,
some dark chimney dirt)
She finally saw him, black boots from the flume
White beard, big tummy:
jolly you-know-old-who
He ho-ho’d quite gently,
asked had she been good
“Skip the pleasantries,” she responded,
“if we just could."
We’ve something to ask, a bit of a favor:
A change to your flight plans,
one we hope you might savor
Instead of the trinkets, bright baubles and toys,
Deliver us, dear Santa, to good girls and boys
There are so many of us homeless,
in the sanctuary we sit
Use Christmas magic,
In your red sack we’ll fit.”
Santa was touched by this most wondrous plan
But some things, he knew, were out of his hands:
For the answer to the crisis of pet homelessness
Requires a change in human consciousness
So he and that kitten now face us and plead:
Please value these lives,
it’s the coming year’s need
Respect them and love them,
treat them like treasure
They’ll return those sweet gifts
many times beyond measure
And in some Christmas future,
we hope for a true holiday
Every Lanai cat has a person for play
And to love them, yes, and to honestly care:
Then true Christmas for all,
for all a family to share.
By
Lanai Cat Sanctuary Board Chair Ken White
