Contrary

The night was deep and dark and chill,
The cat sat silent on the window sill.
His eyes reflected the pale moon's beams,
He stared into the dark and dreamt cat dreams.

"Come cat," the sleepy woman said,
The hour is late- it's time for bed."
"I'll put one more log upon the fire
And you and I shall then retire."

The cat gave no outward indication
It had understood her conversation.
But jumped down lightly to the floor
And slowly glided to the door.

"Come cat, it's time we were a-bed,
Now leave that door," the woman said.
The cat made no move upon the floor
But placed one paw upon the door.

"The wind is cold cat, it's sure to frost.
The woods are deep and you'll get lost."
Said the cat in a voice that left no doubt-
Open the door and let "Me-owt!"

For the wind is rife with mysteries
That dwell amidst the  darkened trees;
And all the shadowed wood abounds
with mysterious, melodious, nocturnal sounds.

The woman muttered to herself,
For the clock was chiming on its shelf-
"Tis the witching hour", she said,
"All decent folks should be in bed!"

But her pleadings were of no avail,
For the cat just twitched a tip of tail,
And then the woman heard it shout-
I told you woman to let "Me-owt!"

The woman said, "Now see here cat,
You've no cause to screech at me like that!"
"I am your Mistress after all-
Now come to bed and cease this squall!"

The cat gave the woman such an imperious look
That it's meaning no-wise could be mistook.
For cats are by nature fierce and free
And but tolerate the illusion of domesticity.

How dare you say such things as that
To the likes of me, said the cat.
How dare my will you so callously flout-
Now open this door and let "Me-owt!"

For the moonlight gilds the frosty medes
And tasty mousies run midst the weeds.
I have feline business to be about!
So open this door and let "ME-OWT!!"

The woman knew she had no choice,
For she recognized that tone of voice.
So she drew the bolt and turned the key
And gave the cat its liberty.

Then she shot the bolt and latched the latch-
When on the door outside there came a scratch.
And then the cat began to shout-
Woman, how dare you lock "Me-owt!"