THE CAT BURGLAR

By Author Paul Hughes

“The Cat Burglar” recalls the time an infamous thief was caught breaking into a house one New Year’s Eve.

THE CAT BURGLAR

It was early New Year’s Day, just after three

When that young villain pounced, on an early morning spree.

He sneaked through the side door with some evil intention,

Herself had left it ajar …. just thought I should mention.

Our night of celebrations had staggered well past one;

We’d all ended the year with a night full of fun.

With the very best of intentions, on the stroke of midnight.

Some even pledged resolutions that were ever so trite.

Many hours were spent, reminiscing and drinking,

It’s no wonder Herself went to bed without even thinking

Of the door she had opened to welcome the breezes of the night,

Unaware he was lurking, hidden well out of sight.

While we all slept soundly, the villain crept quietly past the dog,

Hoping our Protector was sleeping like a log;

Then he stealthily moved forward, going from room to room,

Checking every item, despite the shadows and gloom.

There was no doubt the intention of this light-footed rogue,

Was to ransack even the kitchen, as such was in vogue.

But at last Fate took a hand as he crept through the kitchen door,

He stumbled over shoes scattered all around the floor.                                                                                                                       

Daughter gave a scream. Herself woke and yelled

for protection. Then gave wild orders for the thief to be dispelled.

Indignant or still drunk, I wasn’t even sure,

As I crawled out of bed and staggered through the door.

I’d heard of all the break-ins and his bad reputation,

‘The Cat’ had made a laughing stock of the local police station.

He’d scaled tall buildings in the middle of the night.

When meeting his victims, never backed down from a fight.

I saw his black cape, and a bright flash of white

As he tried to find a way out and escape into the night.

“Hold it right there!” Did I yell, or just implore?

He tried to break a window, but crashed down to the floor.

Eyes flashing wildly, he then lunged in despair

As our wild, helpless laughter pealed through the air.

Our burglar just lay there, helpless and afraid,

Now his days were numbered, ‘twas the last break-in he’ll have made.

I slowly walked over, and opened the front door, 

Wished him ‘Happy New Year’ as he scuttled over the floor.

For our burglar, ‘The Cat”, who’d been cowering in fright,

Was just a young feline neighbor who’d became lost in the night.

© Paul Hughes