Footsteps running, up the garden path

Through the catflap, to the warming hearth

Footsteps trotting, up the carpet treads

Springing softly on to cosy beds

Footsteps only, when in the mood

Trotting to the kitchen to their food

Footsteps quietly, creeping around

Hunting the mouse without a sound

Footsteps heading, back indoors

To warm on my lap their frozen paws

Toni Manell, Fareham, Hampshire.

Polly Clark writes: I enjoyed the simplicity of this poem. It demonstrates a good way of writing about a topic which means a lot to you: Focus on one aspect of it, very closely.

Don't forget to enter the Daily Echo poetry and short story competitions! Details every Saturday in Creative Corner and on the website.