If

I saw a cat

Walking down Morning Star and Fifth

Back arched, tail lifted

The messenger armed to the teeth

Cat needs to know what he'll say

-

Following behind

One duckling, three beetles

And the Sphinx

He'll ask you a riddle if you try to stop them.

-

I'd put on my lavender hoodie

And join them

With a ready snarl to any

Who can't believe our promenade

-

'There is a war coming

With grey and purple machines

Who track down any

Who step with left feet

Leaving them with one leg

To hop and roll along

as they do.'

-

Cat's grey eyes glow

With a nod to the messenger

His tail puffs

So. He will fight.

-

They march in

Hop, lean, roll, hop

Buzzing and purring

-

Cat steps forward

Left paw ahead

The purring ceases

Their buttons stare menacing

-

The duckling hurls itself forward

Squawking

As with a snip

Its left leg falls

-

Pandemonium

I grab our duckling martyr

As Cat grows

Batting the machines back and forth

-

The Sphinx asks

What has no legs and does not walk

Tearing each machine apart

At its buzzing response

-

I press the red button

The one that says Do Not Touch

And suddenly all stop

Except the beetles who crawl

-

With a nod and a bow

I walk to school

If