Timida Threw Her Temper Tandrum Poem by NHIEN NGUYEN MD

After three days of not being fed separately from her siblings
Timida threw her temper tantrum because she got mad at my wife.
She didn't come when my wife called her name many times
Even though she hid herself nearby, under an evergreen bush.

Gradually, her cries changed from gentle to anger outbursts
Many times, my wife almost gave in to bring her a separate dish.
However, she remembered what I had suggested
Not to reinforce the separation but to help this cat rejoin her siblings.

As a revenge, Timida threw back at my wife an angry treat:
'Now, you are going to suffer as much as I did'
'Now, it's your time to beg me for my mercy'.

Many times, my wife tried to come closer to this cat
With her soft begging voice and wet food in her lowered hand
But Timida walked away very fast with her sullen look
She rejected my wife's attempt to give her gentle touch.
She also rejected her favorite food as if she was not hungry.
With her wide opened and watchful eyes
Timida measured if my wife was worthy of her trust.

Finally, she agreed to rejoin her siblings
However, she ate in a hurry while her eyes scanning.
BlackPearl sniffed at her and she did the same to this cat.
It appeared like these cats were finally at peace.

However, by chance, when her eyes met BlackPearl's eyes
Her fear was suddenly revived and she ran for life.
BlackPearl was triggered to chase her fast from behind
Because, a bully in him was also suddenly revived.

My wife screamed out loud for these cats to stop their run and chase.
She also served as a maker of peace
In helping these cats regulate their emotions and conflicts.

My wife earned the trust of the traumatized cat
Who now asks my wife to hold her and lies on her back for gentle rubs.
She also joins her siblings in sharing their meals.

NHIEN NGUYEN MD
10/15/2017

Below is the Vietnamese version of above poem:

TIMIDA NỔI CƠN GIẬN LÀM NƯ

Sau ba ngày không cho ăn riêng rẽ
Timida rất bực với vợ tôi
Vợ tôi kêu, nó không thèm lộ mặt
Mặc dù rằng bụi cây nấp gần bên.

Mỗi ngày qua, Timida càng giận
Đã nhiều lần vợ tôi muốn chiều theo
Cho nó ăn đĩa riêng như nó muốn
Nhưng vợ tôi sực nhớ chuyện tôi khuyên
Với mục đích không cho nó tách riêng
Mà giúp nó gia nhập như ngày cũ.

Như trả thù, nó ra chiêu thật nặng
"Phen này thì, ta sẽ chẳng thèm ăn
Sợ ta đói, chắc rằng bà sẽ khổ
Rồi tha hồ mà năn nỉ ta ăn".

Đã bao lần vợ tôi van nhỏ nhẹ
Vừa van xin, vừa đưa đĩa đồ ăn
Nó vênh mặt, bước đi như chẳng đói
Và đồng thời mắt nói "chớ sờ tôi"
Đồ ăn ngon, nó nhìn, nhưng không nếm
Mắt lườm lườm, tự hỏi, đáng tin không?

Nhưng thế rồi, cuối cùng mèo đổi ý
Nó đồng lòng ăn đĩa với anh em
Miệng ăn mau, mắt nhìn quanh láo liếc.
Mèo BlackPearl đứng gần, đưa mũi ngửi
Timida đáp lễ, cũng làm theo.

Tưởng rằng yên, không còn tranh chấp nữa
Ai đâu ngờ khi bốn mắt gặp nhau
Như sét đánh, Timida bỏ chạy
Và như bay, BlackPearl phóng đuổi theo.

Lo thắt ruột, vợ tôi la thật lớn
Thét hai mèo không có chạy đuổi nhau
Rồi giàn xếp mang hòa bình trở lại.

Timida bây giờ vui vẻ lắm
Nó xin bồng và lại muốn xoa lưng
Ngày ba bữa chung ăn với gia đình.

NHIEN NGUYEN MD
4/14/2018