Kipper
He masters life by learning how to fall.
From heights he lands with four white feet just right.
When drowsy all he does is form a ball
Of stripes —and falls into a furry night
Made up of twitch and sleep. And if from grace
He falls (transgressing laws against his claws)
Our kitten turns to smiles the human face
He knows as Justice, mocking at his flaws
With whirring chitters punctuated by
The soft white thump of paws in wild retreat.
A rampage round the room ends up a high,
Mad somersault of fling and flailing feet.
..He gives no thought to doing right at all
….But masters life by learning how to fall.