[Photo from Google, which credits pet-clinic.gr]
Coconut oil,
they say, is safe for cats
with skin rashes
of unknown origin.
If it fails, go to the vet.
Before a rash can spoil
the long soft coat that's
the color of ashes
and the young tomcat's
biggest asset,
I tried the all-
purpose disinfectant that's
safe, though irritating. Crushes
die hard. My sweet pet's
claws flexed, but he let
the alcohol-
based stuff, through pats,
soak into his skin; made dashes
to air-dry his skin,
came back, good pet.
This failed to foil
the rash. Coconut's
Plan B. It mashes
delightfully on skin,
then starts to set
up greasy. Royal
indignation! Cats,
lacking ability or wishes
to sweat through their skin,
hate anything wet.
Licking all
of the spots
his tongue reaches,
he calls in
each older cat:
"Don't let this oil
form greasy mats
and spikes! All creatures
will sneer and grin
if this stuff has a chance to set!"
Nothing can foil
the social cats'
licking where he itches,
taking in
whatever's harming the tomcat.
The social
animals, birds, dogs, cats,
horses, love at all prices,
resist quarantine
like COVID deniers, firm-set.
Is there a moral?
Mortal love hurts
in thoughtless rushes
to ease pain.
The cats need the vet.
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