Turtledove

"I'll name the kitten Turtledove",
said little girl with glee.
"She looks just like those silly birds
that nest in our fir tree."

Grey with black spots on her cheeks
and some upon her breast
Large green eyes, so clear and bright.
"Oh Mother, we are blessed!"

"Almighty God has seen us fit
to nurture her", she said.
"For if I did not hear her cries
she surely would be dead!"

"To think that minstrel with the lute
could cast her off that way.
Marching on with nary a care!
What must make him betray?"

Mother took her daughters hand
and softly heaved a sigh.
"Such wandering men cannot be
bound by cat or even I."