> In a dim corner of my room for longer than my fancy thinks
> A beautiful and silent Sphinx has watched me through the shifting gloom.
> That didn't help, I already read it. Am I supposed to pay attention to the next part?
>
> Dawn follows dawn and nights grow old and all the while this curious cat
> Lies crouching on the Chinese mat with eyes of satin rimmed with gold.
> There is no cat on the chinese mat.
> Help me.

Having just run through this again, here's what you do: note *all* information about the poem. In other words, when you use someone else's work, you cite your sources. Examine the case in the living room. What information do you have that would work here?
As for getting into that tree, if you're still stuck then look around the house for something you might stand on. You should be able to take it by now.

mac "works cited in MLA format" rinus7