Eek!
(a sequel to Mouse and Wife)
Eek! - the good old female
exclamation or squeak
at seeing a mouse
or some such trespass -
issued from my wife's
mouth yet again,
as she saw scurry
(that good old word)
across the pantry
floor and under the fridge
one more fast mouse.
But, I demurred,
there'd be mouse-scats
if mouse it was.
The trap is set and baited.
More nights we waited.
One morning the trap
is upside down
but baited still!
Perhaps a giant cockroach?
(Her own suggestion.)
But - this morning -
the grey trap has been sprung,
we have a small dead mouse.
And it's autumn still -
what may winter bring?
And what is that now?
she's seen outside
drop past the window,
something like a rat.
Black, large and fast,
safe from any mouse-trap.
Meanwhile, carry away the dead -
high over the dog's head -
for burial,
or other disposal.
I go outside on rat patrol.
A sequel to this sequel
may show whether
I'm a rat's equal.
Max Richards
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