Brought to visit you 

in the care home, 

purring with anticipation 

all the way, to be announced 

upon arrival 

as an important personage 

not to be kept waiting 

the first he heard was 

‘Has he got four legs?’ 

at which an accelerated  

crescendo of purring 

gave as its answer 

unmistakable assent,, 

and entering 

to your delighted cry of 

‘Rupert!’ the important 

personage sped across the carpet 

jumping up to settle 

on a poet’s warm, familiar lap. 

                 John Mole