Tuesday, September 24, 2013

The Mouse

photoart: ralph murre


The Mouse
by Wilda Morris

            Beginning with a line from Billy Collins

Dressed in its light brown suit,
it entered my basement
without invitation.

I did not look on it
with love, despite its wistful eyes,
its sophisticated whiskers

and its toes, smaller than my grandson’s
when he was born. I didn’t offer
to shake hands or bring a bowl

of crackers and a cheese ball
infused with port wine.
Instead, I plotted to rid my house

of this mouse with its cleverly cupped ears,
frightened look and evident hunger.
I never asked if its name

is on the endangered species list,
if it carried a card of recommendation
or why it dressed in such elegant velvet.




~ first published in Creature Features