Catfight

The west side of the street belongs to Miles,

While Quincy rules his kingdom to the east,

As they, with all their cunning feline wiles

Receive in homage each their daily feast.

Thus bounty flows on both sides of the street,

But Quincy’s presence Miles cannot abide,

While Quincy seeks Miles’ downfall and defeat,

And peace and quiet are sacrificed to pride.

But we are higher animals, of course.

Our wars are fought for justice and for truth,

As when we answer impudence with force

And with the blood and treasure of our youth.

And now we’re staring down at the abyss,

While Miles and Quincy arch their backs and hiss.

The author is a retired areospace engineer living in Mount Washington.

Read more: Opinion poetry by Times readers