among the cat tales

"Among the cat tales" is a book of insightful poems about life, seen from an angle that often includes cats. The poems evolve over years of close acquaintance with several cats, a species that "shares the air and woods and fate with man / who makes mistakes ...." It is a book of unsentimental observation and appreciation of the centuries-long relationship between cat and human. Sheila Evans, inspired novelist and cat-watcher, writes: "As a lover and keeper of cats--or do they keep me?--I read with delight Ruth F. Harrison's book of poems, 'among the cat tales.' ... The book takes a whimsical look at our existence with our Lucys, our Mollys, our Panthers, but there are serious undertones: the stark possibility of big dogs running loose, the night when the special friend does not report for duty, the gunny sack and the pond for unwanted kittens." She goes on: "We are blessed who love and celebrate connections with those golden-eyed 'warm dragons' that the Egyptians worshipped, that Shakespeare called 'harmless necessities,' that Muhammed left undisturbed sleeping on his robe." Evans adds: "[Harrison] has caught the charming essence of living with the furry friends who grace our homes, our laps, and our gardens."Delightfully set off and illuminated by Anita Sue Andrews' cover painting and pen-and-ink sketches throughout, the book is a collector's treasure. It offers joy to lovers of cats, to readers who appreciate poetry, and to lovers of art.Although the collection is not intended as a children's book, Jean Esteve, herself a superb poet with an impeccable ear, says of it, "... many of the poems are simple enough, and punny enough, for children to enjoy." But she goes on: "... the gorgeous lines, quiet philosophy of acceptance of life's uninvited surprises,and the extraordinary insight into the heart of the feline Other, are clearly the work of a mature and accomplished poet."