Poetry Friday and Pussycats

OK, so I'm doing "The Owl and the Pussycat." Not the most original, I know. But this is honor of our poor cat, Thomas, who I've dropped off at the vet this morning. He has a lump on his shoulder, and the vet thought it was best to remove it (she was afraid it might be cancer). So I had to leave poor, sweet Thomas there, and will call today after 1 pm to see how he's doing. I want to dedicate this poem to him:

The Owl and the Pussycat
by Edward Lear

I

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five pound note. The Owl looked up to the stars above, And sang to a small guitar, 'O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love, What a beautiful Pussy you are, You are, You are! What a beautiful Pussy you are!'

II

Pussy said to the Owl, 'You elegant fowl! How charmingly sweet you sing! O let us be married! too long we have tarried: But what shall we do for a ring?' They sailed away, for a year and a day, To the land where the Bong-tree grows And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood With a ring at the end of his nose, His nose, His nose, With a ring at the end of his nose.

III

'Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling Your ring?' Said the Piggy, 'I will.' So they took it away, and were married next day By the Turkey who lives on the hill. They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon; And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon, The moon, The moon, They danced by the light of the moon.

Another note about this poem. When my dad got married to his new wife Lisa a couple of years ago, my husband and I read this poem to them as part of the ceremony. It seemed appropriate for the circumstances (getting married, a nice children's literature connection). We alternated stanzas, and I had to read the one about "What a beautiful pussy you are". It took many repetitions for me to be able to do this without laughing. A wonderful poem, but I think the double entendre has shifted over time!