A Perfect National Poetry Month Reading List for Cat Lovers

Literary Hub's Emily Temple has compiled a list of cat poems, to celebrate Christopher Smart's April 11 birthday. Smart is an 18th century poet, wrote one of Temple's favorite cat poems, called "[For I will consider my Cat Jeoffrey]." "If humans were immortal, like I suspect cats are, today would be the birthday of Christopher Smart," Temple explains, "an English poet who was both infamous and influential in his day (1722-1771) but is now mostly known for his long religious poem Jubilate Agno, and in particular for one section from Jubilate Agno, an in-depth, ecstatic, truly ludicrous and wonderful consideration of his cat, whose name is Jeoffry." From there: 

On the occasion of Smart’s birthday, and also because I love you, I have decided to highlight this poem and some other good poems either about or memorably featuring cats. Please enjoy, and feel free to add more kitty poems to the list in the comments.

“[For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry],” Christopher Smart

I first read this poem, a segment of Smart’s Jubilate Agno, in a class on the poetics of ecstasy—and what an ecstatic piece it is, probably not least because it was written while Smart was in the “madhouse.”

For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry.
For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him.
For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way.
For is this done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness.
For then he leaps up to catch the musk, which is the blessing of God upon his prayer.
For he rolls upon prank to work it in.
For having done duty and received blessing he begins to consider himself.
For this he performs in ten degrees.
For first he looks upon his forepaws to see if they are clean.
For secondly he kicks up behind to clear away there.
For thirdly he works it upon stretch with the forepaws extended.
For fourthly he sharpens his paws by wood.
For fifthly he washes himself.
For sixthly he rolls upon wash.
For seventhly he fleas himself, that he may not be interrupted upon the beat.
For eighthly he rubs himself against a post.
For ninthly he looks up for his instructions.
For tenthly he goes in quest of food.

Read more at Literary Hub.