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The Felon: A Golden Shovel After Annette Wynne For W3

Written for W3 Prompt #68: Wea’ve Written Weekly posted on 

This week’s PoM and prompt poem is ‘HIGHS&lows’ by Matt Snyder

Matt’s prompt guidelines:

  • Write an ekphrastic poem in response to this image of a yawning cat created by
    Matt Snyder.
    • ek·phra·sis: “description” in Greek. A vivid description of a work of art.
      Through the imaginative act of narrating and reflecting on the “action” of
      a painting or sculpture, the poet may amplify and expand its meaning.

For the especially ambitious

  • If you’re feeling ambitious, try to write your ekphrastic poem in the form a
    golden shovel (of any poem of your choice).
    • Golden shovel: A poetic form in which the last word of each line forms a
      second, pre-existing poem (or section thereof) to which the poet is paying homage.
    • Click here for a full explanation of the golden shovel.


I was there when the cat came in from the
cold, dragging a dowry into the house
but whose cash is that, and whose felon cat
I’m too scared to spend it so there it sits

months of uncertainty ooze along and
I pamper the cat and bestow it smiles
I’ve buried the cash for future plans and
have since then become a miser that sings.

The day might come when someone will say, “He
belongs to me, and I know what he knows.”
I’ll fight tooth and nail, for there’s never a
day that I don’t like this felon a lot

I wish I could spoil myself with some of
my allowance, but that’s a great secret
and life is made of just that sort of things.

© Selma Martin

Shoveled from/paying homage to:
THE HOUSE CAT BY ANNETTE WYNNE

The house cat sits
And smiles and sings.
He knows a lot
Of secret things.

Thanks for reading.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 38 Comments

  1. Sadje August 18, 2023 Reply

    So skillfully written Selma.

    1. Selma Martin August 18, 2023 Reply

      Thanks, Sadje. It was fun to write that. 👏🏽

      1. Sadje August 18, 2023 Reply

        You’re most welcome

    1. Selma Martin August 18, 2023 Reply

      😛 or the felon could be the human 😆 Cats are conniving creatures… 😳 they know how to get what they want 🐈‍⬛ 💭

  5. Sonia Dogra August 18, 2023 Reply

    Splendid, Selma. I really enjoyed this. Cleverly done.

    1. Selma Martin August 18, 2023 Reply

      I’m so pleased you enjoyed it dear Sonia. ☺️

  6. Kathryn LeRoy August 18, 2023 Reply

    So clever and well done. You made me smile, and I learned about the golden shovel.

    1. Selma Martin August 18, 2023 Reply

      So happy that it made you smile, dear Kathryn.
      Hey, stay in the shade.

  7. poetisatinta August 18, 2023 Reply

    So good Selma and to give us a complete story too – brilliant 🙌🙌🙌

    1. Selma Martin August 18, 2023 Reply

      You honor me with this comment. Thanks. Stay sweet.

  9. rajkkhoja August 18, 2023 Reply

    So nice written Selma. Beautiful art.

      1. rajkkhoja August 22, 2023 Reply

        Thanks Selma 💕

  10. Kajal August 18, 2023 Reply

    This is a brilliant one, Selma.

    1. Selma Martin August 20, 2023 Reply

      Hehe. Sometimes the pieces fit. Thanks so much. Xoxo

  12. sgeoil August 20, 2023 Reply

    Cats are so good at keeping secrets. Nice write!

    1. Selma Martin August 20, 2023 Reply

      Thanks for reading and commenting my friend. Cats—they’re conniving. 😜

  14. murisopsis August 20, 2023 Reply

    Selma this is so very good! I love the flow and the passion – and the felon cat is so perfect a description of many of the cats I’ve known!

  15. Robbie Cheadle August 20, 2023 Reply

    This is great, Selma. Well done 😸

  16. willowdot21 August 21, 2023 Reply

    So excellent and so cat live it 💜💜💜

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