Report from Chris Smith
Attack By Mysterious Beast Inspires Poetic Victim To Put Pen To Paper
By Neil Moir in the Press and Journal, 1 st March 2002
AN INSCH woman who was attacked by a mystery animal in January has put pen to paper and written a poem about her encounter.
Doris Moore, of Craigieford, suffered puncture wounds to her thigh after the animal pounced on her as she walked to her car from a steading at the beginning of January.
The animal was described by a friend who witnessed the attack, Wilfred Simpson, as a "sleek black beastie", about the size of a labrador with a feline appearance.
Although there have been numerous reports of big cats throughout the country over the years, Mrs Moore is one of only a few to have reportedly been attacked by one.
She says she is still coming to terms with the incident, but has been helped by her poetry.
"I can only express from my inner feeling and I've always been able to do that," she said. "I've had many sleepless nights. I carry a camera with me all the time - I might never get a chance like that again."
Mrs Moore - who has rescued animals for more than 26 years - is a keen writer of poetry, and has this year again been invited to attend an international convention.
However, as well as the expense of the trips, she says she cannot leave her animals.
Her latest poem, The Shadow of the Cat, sets the scene on the "dark and icy winter's night" that saw her attacked outside a steading.
Beginning "A chance encounter never meant to be, would chill the heart of you or me," Mrs Moore's poem goes on to tell of the animal biting her thigh before fleeing into the darkness.
A second verse hints at the difficulty she had of convincing people of the attack - and warning that their attitudes would change if the animal returns.
Press & Journal, 1 st March 2002
The Shadow of the Cat
by Doris Moore
A chance encounter never meant to be
Would chill the heart of you or me
On a dark and icy winters night
A power stronger then the wildest wind
Held on to me so tight
No moon in the nighttime sky
Fangs pierced into my thigh
To ensure such fear and pain
She escaped the devils reign
A legacy of ridicule left to me
While in those glens
She still roams free
When once again night steals the day
The laughter shall die away
And you may come to know
Fear of the shadow that haunts your dreams
No one may hear your screams
A bond we will now share
Knowledge there is something out there
The shadow now falls upon you and I
In dreams of terror
We shall once again see
The shadow of the cat
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