In a not-so-quiet corner of the world, Dog and Cat did meet,
Too different from each other. Conflict learned, division complete.
Dog barked loud with teeth barred in a disorderly jeer,
While Cat hissed with claws out, sharp, Cat’s message was clear.
In the darkness, baited, their encounter was far from replete.

One adorned in fur of gold, the other, sleek and black,
both hungering for the food in the alley they did track.
Dog lunged, Cat leaped, their shadows masked in shadows entwined,
A discordant feud derived from motives taught and not aligned.
An act of hate unfolding, each was at the others’ back!

Dog, with eyes once warm, had a loyal heart to share,
but Cat could not see this, and Cat did not care.
Neither took the time, amidst the tension and the strife,
to know the other or what they shared in common in life,
all each could think was how the other made their lives unfair.

Cat once held graceful poise. There was mystery in Cat’s eyes,
Cat once purred a melody of harmony, beneath the starlit skies.
But in want, their worlds collided, clashed in fur, and spat,
within the chaos they did not see where the real threat was at.
Hunger blinded them from the trap, the meat covered in flies.

As they fought in a deadly embrace, the creator above did weep,
God’s hallowed presence stirred the air, a warning dire and deep.
For though their teeth were barred and claws were out in pride,
Beneath the differences, integrity and strength in unity, did hide.
in their conflict of cultures, a lesson unfolded, both bitter and sweet.

A cage came down upon them both because they did not see
Man, hiding in the alley, believed they did not deserve to be free.
Too different they thought, but exactly the same was their fate
To be controlled by another who came to power through their hate.
Man intended death for both and from this cage, they could not flee.

Death was upon them and Man gloated that victory came with ease!
From heaven a whisper calmed them. God’s spirit moved like a breeze,
Cat confessed, “I roamed the night in silence, blind to Man’s scheme,
I enjoyed my freedom but was told my freedom was just a dream,
Man said I would lose it all, Dogs would force me to my knees.”

Dog also spoke of freedom, “I was content in my jubilant spree,
I once slept on pillows, but Man said you would take them from me.
I let my hunger, and my hatred for you, blind me to the truth
I served man, then escaped, but not from what Man taught me in youth
I learned from Man to hate you and now both of us are no longer free.”

Cat confessed, “I too served Man, in the cold, catching mice
The days were long and hard and Man was never nice.
Man told me it was your fault, you took more than your share.
In envy of Dogs, I escaped. For your plight, I did not care,
We both sought our freedom but our learned hatred was our vice.”

“God’s comfort is a prayer away,” Dog began to say,
“though the Devil tricked us, let our hope keep evil’s power at bay.
The fallen world may wound us, division is the Devil’s snare,
Yet in our faith in God find solace, Our likenesses compare.
If death finds us or if we live as common slaves, by your side I’ll stay.”

Cat, with eyes now softened, nodded in assent,
“There’s solace in the truth.” Dog said and prayed with head bent,
“May deception, like the fleeting clouds, dissipate with God’s light.
In the struggle for existence, may God guide us in what is right.”
“All the time believing divisive lies,” Cat cried, “now our lives are spent.”

“Stuff happens, beyond our grasp,” Dog continued on,
“But in the hands of the Creator, a new day will be drawn.
Pray for others, lift them high, in words sincere and true,
And don’t forget yourself, my friend, for God is near to you.”

Just then the cage door rattled as God’s spirit moved above
it opened ever slightly and Dog gave Cat a shove.
But Man closed it quickly and hands reached out
to grab Cat, “Run!” Dog howled with a barking shout!
“Remember the truth!” Dog called to Cat, “Share it in love!”

Dog sacrificed freedom so Cat could live and spread the truth,
Each thought the other the fault, wrong, deplorable, and uncouth.
They worked for Man to earn their freedom, a lie they now understand,
Yet once free both were hunted by power’s murderous hand,
the lies Man taught them, to divide them in their youth.

Now they found unity they found strength in God’s spirit
they knew the truth and they knew that others needed to hear it.
All creatures are slaves to the powers that control them, the Devil.
In our division, powerless in our conflict, the demons revel.
To survive we must unite! The powers lie! In freedom never submit!