Hello, furriends! Tyson here, your literary-loving feline with an eye for art and a tail for the dramatic. Today, I’m diving into the poetic world to celebrate one of the most famous cat poems, “The Rum Tum Tugger” by T.S. Eliot. And because no blog post of mine would be complete without a touch of my own creativity, I’ll also share a Tyson original inspired by Eliot’s whimsical style.
TS Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” is basically a love letter to feline fabulousness. Every poem is a gem, but “The Rum Tum Tugger” stands out because it perfectly captures one of our most important cat truths: We are delightfully impossible.
A Look at “The Rum Tum Tugger”
The Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat:
If you offer him pheasant he would rather have grouse.
If you put him in a house he would much prefer a flat,
If you put him in a flat then he’d rather have a house.
If you set him on a mouse then he only wants a rat,
If you set him on a rat then he’d rather chase a mouse.
Yes the Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat—
And there isn’t any call for me to shout it:
For he will do
As he do do
And there’s no doing anything about it!
The Rum Tum Tugger is a terrible bore:
When you let him in, then he wants to be out;
He’s always on the wrong side of every door,
And as soon as he’s at home, then he’d like to get about.
He likes to lie in the bureau drawer,
But he makes such a fuss if he can’t get out.
Yes the Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat—
And there isn’t any use for you to doubt it:
For he will do
As he do do
And there’s no doing anything about it!
The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious beast:
His disobliging ways are a matter of habit.
If you offer him fish then he always wants a feast;
When there isn’t any fish then he won’t eat rabbit.
If you offer him cream then he sniffs and sneers,
For he only likes what he finds for himself;
So you’ll catch him in it right up to the ears,
If you put it away on the larder shelf.
The Rum Tum Tugger is artful and knowing,
The Rum Tum Tugger doesn’t care for a cuddle;
But he’ll leap on your lap in the middle of your sewing,
For there’s nothing he enjoys like a horrible muddle.
Yes the Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat—
And there isn’t any need for me to spout it:
For he will do
As he do do
And there’s no doing anything about it!
My Thoughts
TS Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” is basically a love letter to feline fabulousness. Every poem is a gem, but “The Rum Tum Tugger” stands out because it perfectly captures one of our most important cat truths: We are delightfully impossible. It’s like Eliot lived with cats—or was at least politely bossed around by one.
The Rum Tum Tugger’s independent spirit and impossible-to-please attitude remind me of… well, me. (And probably most cats you’ve ever met.)
I love how Eliot captures the joyful stubbornness that defines us and shows that being contrary isn’t just something we do—it’s part of who we are. We want in—then we want out. We demand something—then change our minds the second it’s offered. Some might call it frustrating. I call it feline brilliance.
And look how the rhythm bounces along, a little unpredictable—kind of like when you think we’re coming in for a cuddle and boop ,we change our minds at the last second. That’s on purpose! The poem mirrors the Tugger’s own restless energy. Eliot’s playful language makes it feel like the cat might leap right off the page—or knock something off your desk just because he can.
Also, can we just take a moment to admire the ending?
For he will do / As he do do / And there’s no doing anything about it!
Pure. Feline. Genius.
If you’ve ever sighed and said, “There’s just no doing anything about it!” after dealing with a cat’s antics, congratulations—you understand exactly what Eliot was writing about.
A Tribute: “The Whiskered Wanderer”
A poem by Tyson the Cat
The Whiskered Wanderer is a shadow of night:
If you leave the door closed, he’ll meow for the breeze.
If you open it wide, he’ll vanish from sight,
Then return an hour later with a casual sneeze.
The Whiskered Wanderer adores the best perch:
If you fluff up the cushion, he’ll pick the cold floor.
If you turn out the light, he’ll begin his grand search,
For a spot in the moonlight to dream and to snore.
The Whiskered Wanderer is a king of his kind:
If you bow to his whims, he will grant you his gaze.
But if you should falter, keep this thought in mind:
Cats are sovereign spirits who walk their own ways.
Why Poetry and Cats Are Purr-fect Partners
When I was writing “The Whiskered Wanderer,” I thought about all the little ways we cats make sure the world revolves around us—even when humans don’t realize it.
Notice how my Wanderer always keeps a little distance, always does things his own way? That’s not stubbornness, my furriends. That’s artistry.
I tried to capture the way cats live between the shadows and the spotlight—sometimes wanting attention, sometimes slipping away to chase our own dreams (or moths). We’re creatures of mystery and majesty, and I wanted my poem to feel a little dreamy, a little proud, and very, very feline.
Honestly, it’s no surprise cats and poetry go together like sunbeams and naps.
Poetry tries to capture the beauty of a single moment, the feeling of something you can’t quite explain but know deep down. Cats do the same thing.
A slow blink, a soft paw on your cheek, a whiskered sigh in the sunlight—those are poems too, if you know how to read them.
Also, we’re beautiful, mysterious, and like to sit in boxes. That’s basically a full artistic resume right there.
Your Turn, Furriends!
Do you have a favorite cat poem or a poetic thought to share? Or maybe you’ve written a masterpiece inspired by your own whiskered antics? Post it in the comments—I’d love to read your feline verses. Bonus points for poems that include naps, snacks, or heroic leaps onto forbidden countertops.
Until next time, stay curious, stay cozy, and keep the poetry alive in your purrs and paws.
Purrs and rhymes,
Tyson 🐾
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