perhaps we need a cat

a mouse likes my house.
i hear him in the morning,
running through the drawers,
his playground.
everyday i clean up droppings
from drawers and cabinets,
but at least he doesn't eat our food, not yet.


jason set a trap, two nights in a row.
the first night -- provolone cheese:
in the morning the cheese was gone,
the trap still set.
the next night -- peanut butter, not so easily stolen:
in the morning the peanut butter was gone,
the trap still set.

this is a smart mouse.
i almost feel he deserves to live,
like people felt about ned kelly.
but i do not like a mouse in my house.
i do not like extra messes.