The Boat's Cat

I'm with the man in the hat.
I'm his lucky black cat.
He'd be sunk without me.

He was lonely on his long boat
though wouldn't admit it.
He drank rum and slept in his coat
most nights. Woke
with a headache and stiff
neck most mornings.

I reckon he'd been deserted
way back
and sailed alone for a century.

I could see he was all at sea
and falling apart.

I decided to adopt him.

He's a changed man now,
making a new start,
and I'm the key
that's unlocked
his padlocked heart.

The Ship's Cat

Black cat