“’Cat’s paw’ is the weather term of the day. It is a light breeze affecting a small area, such as would cause a patch of ripples on the surface of a still water surface.”
–US National Weather Service, Nashville, TN, Feb. 5, 2014
Cat’s paw breeze tickles
the water ripples,
sighs in a reflective purr.
The goose quivers in delight
on the water ripples
honks to her mate, in flight
he answers from above
the water ripples,
then settles by his love.
Crow hears their squawks
from the water ripples,
caws from his perch on the rocks.
The sound carries for miles
beyond the water ripples
to where the mockingbird smiles,
and from up in a tree
far beyond the water ripples
he sings of hearts soaring free
in cat paw tickles
water ripples trickling
sighs, caws, purrs, and cries
And I open the window–
on a catercorner breeze
to listen to his reprise.
The NaPoWriMo, Day 10 prompt is to write “a poem that starts from a regional phrase, particularly one to describe a weather phenomenon.” I don’t know what region “cat’s paw breeze” comes from, but I love it. The poem evolved because yesterday afternoon, I listened to a mockingbird put on a long concert that included the calls of other birds.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Como una vista de un paisaje como en la foto, los versos fluyen para terminar en este magnifico poema.
Thank you.
I like the conversational tone of this poem, and I love that expression. I always thought cat’s paw was a nautical term for a type of wind—it’s very expressive 🙂
Thank you. Isn’t that a great expression? I can just see that delicate cat paw dabbing at the water.
It is a lovely image, not what I’d expect from hard-bitten sailors at all 🙂
🙂
I know quite a bit about weather, but I’ve never heard of cat’s paw. Thanks for the education and for the fantastic poem. Well done, Merril! Beautiful photo, too!
Thank you, Jill.
I don’t know what region or part of the world the phrase comes from. I love it though.
The photo is actually a pond we came across next to a shopping center parking lot!
Wow! That’s a nice looking pond to be in a parking lot area. 🙂 You had me so curious, I had to do some research. This is what I found: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capillary_wave
Oh–Jane said she thought it was a nautical term. Thanks!
What a wonderful term for a secluded light breeze. Must try to remember that one.
Loved the repetition with slight change. A nice rhythm created here.
Thank you, Dale. It is a wonderful phrase, isn’t it?
It truly is!
I love the cascade of effects this little cat’s paw has. It’s a new term to me – thanks for sharing it!
Thank you so much. It was a new term for me, as well. Thank you for reading!
I had never heard of ‘cat’s paw’ either as a weather term but it fits so well as does your poem describing the rippling effect of nature near the pond.
Thank you very much!
It ripples in wonder. Those mockingbirds…(K)
Thank you, Kerfe!
One can feel the tickling breeze
Thank you, Derrick.
I’ve seen tiny ripples on the water, and it’often where there’s a break in the shoreline trees. Now I have a name for the cause!
“sighs in a reflective purr” is perfect for that situation.
I’ll think of that now, any time I’m kayaking.
Oh how lovely–I’m so pleased I gave you that. A gift from poet to poet. 🙂
🙂
What a wonderful find (cat’s paw) Merril and you made a wonderful poem to go with it. I would have loved to have heard that Mockingbird concert 🙂
Thank you very much, Janice!
It was quite a concert. He’s singing right now, too. 🙂
Cat’s paw! I recall I’ve heard this term once before many years ago, but I’m so glad to renew my acquaintance with it. I love the repetition of the water ripples – it ties everything together just like the river waves. And ‘sighs in a reflective purr’ – ooooooooooooh how apt!
I went with a quaint little phrase we use to describe drizzles, for Day 10 (mostly because I was post-performance and way too tired to do any more than grab at the first thing out my brain.) Furry rain!
https://shukuen.blogspot.com/2019/04/glopowrimo-day-10-furriness-of-rain.html
Thank you very much! I almost wrote a note to you about this one–not tomcatting, but still. 😉 I’m glad you liked it. Now I have to check out furry rain!
TOM-CATTING RIVERS. Now there’s a poem waiting to be written!
Hahahahahahahaha