Poems

I Like Little Pussy

Mother Goose 1806 – 
 
 
 

I like little Pussy,
Her coat is so warm;
And if I don’t hurt her
She’ll do me no harm.
So I’ll not pull her tail,
Nor drive her away,
But Pussy and I
Very gently will play;
She shall sit by my side,
And I’ll give her some food;
And she’ll love me because
I am gentle and good.
I’ll pat little Pussy,
And then she will purr,
And thus show her thanks
For my kindness to her;
I’ll not pinch her ears,
Nor tread on her paw,
Lest I should provoke her
To use her sharp claw;
I never will vex her,
Nor make her displeased,
For Pussy can’t bear
To be worried or teased.

 
Analysis (ai): The poem presents a child’s affectionate interaction with a cat, emphasizing mutual gentleness and respect. The speaker values warmth and safety, both physical and emotional, within this bond. Language remains simple, consistent with nursery rhyme conventions, but carries an underlying ethic of kindness.
  • Historical Context: From the mid-17th to early 18th century, such rhymes were often instructional, subtly teaching behavior to children. Unlike many contemporaneous verses that include moral punishment or fear-based lessons, this one promotes empathy without threat.
  • Comparison to Other Works: Unlike longer or cautionary Mother Goose poems involving animals, such as “Little Boy Blue” or “The Queen of Hearts,” this piece centers care over consequence. It stands apart by avoiding narrative drama or retribution typically found in the collection.
  • Form and Language: The AABB rhyme scheme and iambic rhythm align with standard nursery rhyme structures. The sing-song cadence aids memorization, common in didactic verse for children.
  • Modern Reception and Interpretation: Popularly perceived as innocent, a less-discussed view highlights the ambiguity of “pussy” in modern English. While the term clearly referred to cats in earlier usage, contemporary readers may experience unintended dissonance, making the poem a site of linguistic evolution and reinterpretation.

Mother Goose

1806 –
 

Mother Goose is a character that originated in children’s fiction, as the imaginary author of a collection of French fairy tales and later of English nursery rhymes. She also appeared in a song, the first stanza of which often functions now as a nursery rhyme. The character also appears in a pantomime tracing its roots to 1806.

About Mother Goose
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