Nancy Fotheringham Cato poems

Nancy Fotheringham Cato(1917 - 2000 / Australia)

Daybreak

- by Nancy Fotheringham Cato 35

The greatest show on Earth
(non stop twenty four hours around the world)
Begins with a curtain-rise
of soft pink cloud
and a blare of golden trumpets;
The Sun's rebirth
we have seen it all before
we don't even bother to get out of bed,
or, if we're up already, we take heed
only to see will it be fine today
for our trip to the shore,
or the mountains; will it rain
for the school picnic,
will the races go on
or the test match be postponed?
And yet, one day, if the
sun should not rise,
what a loud refrain
of despair and horror
would run,
circling the whole Earth
as each place found
that today the golden trumpets
would not sound,
and the show was over!
We should think of each day
as our last for seeing the sun.

Willy-Wag and Sparrow

- by Nancy Fotheringham Cato 17

Willy-wag and Sparrow
sat on a stone.
Said Willy, it's cold
when the sun is gone.

But my heart beats hot
in my white silk breast;
time enough later
for me to rest.

Said Sparrow, It's dark
in the green willow,
and the cat may lurk
in the shade below.

He fluffed his feathers
and shook his head;
by now the others
are safe in bed.

Said Willy, the sky
is full of light,
and a juicy fly
is quickly caught.

I'll flirt my fan
awhile the cold,
and I won't go in
till the moon is gold.

Said sparrow, the tree
is full by now,
and I'm off to my perch
on the topmost bough.

But Willy said, whether
it's dark or light,
if I feel like singing
I'll sing all night.