Cats Have Opposing Thumbs Poem by Sidi Mahtrow

Few animals besides man
Have by nature endowed a plan
For grasping objects as they may
Either at work or at play.

Seldom are considered the paws of cats
That have claws within their mats.
They're not thought of as having digits
Useful, articulate and movable bits.

And unless the claws are removed
The 'thumb's' use is not disclosed.
But when the need arises;
A cat improvises.

So it is that a cat named October
Came to be known as a tree climber.
Grasping the trunk as she ascended
She became in space - suspended.

Above the ground without a care
Needless that she shouldn't be there.
Climbing high into the branches
Taking more than a few chances.

How she got down I never knew
But her climbing episodes were not few.
Like on the neighbor's roof, warmly sunning,
Just for her special funning.

Or onto the sailboat she would climb
High aloft; ignoring danger, never mind.
Making fun of those, I suppose
That never learned to use their thumbs and toes.

Sidi