photos: Stephen Alsford
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At the time this song was written, to a 3/4 swing beat, goodhearted volunteers were maintaining a refuge on Parliament Hill for abandoned cats. A visit there set me thinking about parallels between two perplexing species for whom the Hill provided a habitat. The upper photo, however, was taken in Italy which is also a haven for cats of various persuasions (both feline and political).
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High on a hill where the snow builds and cold winds vent Ramshackle shelters flank Canada's Parliament, Offering sanctuary to the super-numerary: Neighbouring colonies nobody wants. They're there still, they're there still, Their acts often quizzical or metaphysical. Still ... they're there still, Those feline divines on the crest of the Hill. Fluffy and Shadow and Spot among the best of them, Kittien, Meowney, Herpurr and the rest of them, Mousers of many hues: reds, tabbies and true blues. Though they may caterwaul those cats are all friends. They're there still, they're there still, Their mewling seems lyrical or self-satirical. Still ... they're there still, Those feline divines on the crest of the Hill. Who cleans up the mess they make, the things they break, the food they spill? Some cats-paw must stay awake, while they cat-nap at will. Sometimes they cozy up, sometimes they swear or spit; Life's one long cycle of barn-brawls and hissy fits. But, when the fur flies free, it's no great catastrophe – Just front page fodder for a media blitz. They're there still, they're there still; Prognostication's a cat-house vocation. Still ... they're there still, Those feline divines on the crest of the Hill. Who cleans up the mess they make, the things they break, the food they spill? Some cats-paw must stay awake, while they cat-nap at will. Allies inconstant, both fickle and fly-by-night When you most need them, they seem to be out of sight; Then, when one traps a rat, They act pat like acrobats Trumpeting triumph at the drop of a hat. They're there still, they're there still, Their acts often ridiculed as too political. Still ... they're there still, Those feline divines on the crest of the Hill. |
| (2008) |
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photos: Stephen Alsford |
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| Created: November 17, 2014. Last modified: April 23, 2015 | © Stephen Alsford |