Newly-appointed poet writes public address with Oswald, museum's cat-in-residence

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

Oswald Clingan-Smith, cat descendant of Ancient Egyptians, writes poem at Stirling Smith Art Gallery

A writer and broadcaster who has been appointed as the new poet-in-residence at Stirling’s Smith Art Gallery and Museum has written a work alongside the long-serving museum cat as one of his first duties in the role.

John J Coutts, a highly-respected author, translator and teacher, worked with Oswald Clingan-Smith, the cat who has been greeting visitors to Stirling for 11 years, in the creation of a poem in praise of his daily prowlings and service to a collection “untainted with tat”.

A descendent of Sehkmet and Bastet, the Cat Gods of Ancient Egypt who are said to have accompanied Pharoah’s daughter when she created Scotland, Oswald originally moved in with the Clingan family, next door to the museum, in the summer of 2004.

Curators say he is “indispensable”, having moved into the museum permanently as a public relations cat in 2011 after a brief spell among “unpleasant, nasty fat cats” in Bridge of Allan.

As well as guiding visitors around the building and stretching out full-length on the floor – allowing his admirers to examine and stroke his coat – Oswald has also been known to despatch half-finished emails and has his own Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest accounts.

Written in July, the poem reads:

My title is ‘Oswald the Resident Cat.’
The Smith is the Dome of Delights where I’m at.
Look down, as you pass through the welcoming door.
Show respect, if you see me at rest on the floor,
Then enter my temple and marvel thereat.
We salute you, Sir Oswald, the Resident Cat.

Protecting The Smith is my principle role.
Through hours of deep darkness I prowl and patrol.
By daylight I slumber - or saunter at ease;
My staff are well-managed, and eager to please
Our guests who delight in their coffee and chat...
We salute you, Sir Oswald, the Resident Cat.

In The Smith precious treasure is hidden away,
So that only the best can be put on display.
But our team is outstanding. Its tastes are exquisite,
And each exhibition is well worth a visit.
On show is true artwork, untainted with tat.
We salute you, Sir Oswald, the Resident Cat.

Good people of Stirling, this welcome extends
To you and your loved ones, your children and friends.
Come visit my palace. Admission is free;
The Smith is the place for a cool cat to be!
Just leave me in peace as I sleep on the mat.
We salute you, Sir Oswald, the Resident Cat.

• John J Coutts will be leading a Junior Poetry Masterclass for young writers at the museum and art gallery, Light a Fire of Fun, on November 7 2015. Book online. Follow Oswald on Twitter @Smithsupercat, Facebook and Pinterest.

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Three museums for cat fans

Peterborough Museum
Come face-to-face with the Cheshire Cat in Looking in Wonderland – the art of Alice in Wonderland, a special exhibition of the iconic pictures from Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland books. Until November 1 2015.

Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester
The tongue of a cat (as well as a greenfly's eye and drug-carrying particles in the lungs of a mouse) are among the 20 award-winning images that show the world's biomedical wonders in minute detail in the current exhibition, Wellcome Image Awards 2015. Until March 1 2016.

St Ives Museum
Cats were an integral part of harbour life in St Ives and more than 30 cats are hidden in the museum's collections, waiting to be found on a free trail.

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/art540075-oswald-clingan-smith-cat-poetry-stirling-smith-museum