Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse?
But, I heard my cat purring, in my lonely house
He paced up and down upon the cold floor
Ferociously wagged, and meowed with a roar
“What gives, little friend? Are you quite alright?
Your fur’s standing on end, and your eyes are alight!”
I followed his gaze, and what did I see
A mouse with a beard, staring at me
He wore a robe weaved in red, with checkerboard squares
And sleeves trimmed in fur upon his mouse hairs
On his shoulder, a sack, with food I would think
He gathered from baskets by my kitchen sink
He wandered the distance to my potted tree
On which I put garlands for kitty and me
[By now my crazed feline lost his own voice
And sat down in amazement, the obvious choice]
The colorful rodent thought my décor scant
Scrunched up his pink nose, and strung lights on my plant
Next to the trunk, he left treats and a book
Hung a little mouse-stocking from a little mouse-hook
Just at that moment a tear hit my eye
The Season’s warm greetings I met with a cry
Before I could thank him, or offer him cheese
He scurried away through the wall in a breeze
I opened the covers of my little gift
With pleasure I read and started to drift
This magical visitor came just in time
And left me some pages of
Christmas-Mouse rhyme.
***
Theo J. van Joolen©2010
Art~Myrea Perrit.
