A Cat Called Penguin

because he’s wearing a tuxedo
just like a penguin does
all dressed in black and white,

because he’s a ball of mischief
a mix of curious and shy, so hissing
really loud usually avoids a fight,

because he cannot fly but excels
at jumping high, and often, especially
for fish, particularly when my back

is turned and he swipes one
from my dish...
and because both species

love tobogganing, I promise you
it’s true, but where penguins slip about
on ice, my cat he likes to slide down

the windscreen of my car
yowling ‘Tally-ho the hunt is on -
and I’ve just seen two mice!’