As now published in our August/September Peninsula Papers. Bracken Cat is quite a local character: he must have been born with 999 lives, because he takes far too many chances on his peregrinations. He is brackeny orange with white waistcoat and socks.
BRACKEN CAT’S RULES OF THE ROAD
21st July 2020
Hello, folks: Bracken Cat here,
I haven’t poemed for a while –
But rest assured (I write with crossed paws):
Keeping healthy, still that well-fed smile.
They have been wonderful, these last few months,
For a Puss who loves to hunt the lanes:
Wherever you’ve been in your annoying machines,
I’m not glad to see you back again
…Except – I have a fan club,
Who stop their cars to say hello,
Who accept that Cats Have Right Of Way –
My goodness, my whiskers, I’ve missed them so!
Therefore if you are a local, or a visitor to these parts
And you wish to be welcome, take this message to your hearts:
Driving well around here means keeping speed low,
And not being selfish Mr Toad so-and-sos:
If it’s you must reverse, do it promptly with grace –
And don’t go and waver all over the place!
Stop being precious – don’t keep out so far:
That is grass you must brush past, not jagged iron bars!
And it isn’t just cats that you should watch for:
What about children, and those whose hearing is poor…?
I’ve said it before; I’ll say it again –
DO AS YOU WOULD BE DONE BY in Pembrokeshire lanes!
© Christopher Jessop 2020