A Mouse's Tale

Bella Shepard

 

 

 

In a little village

In a little house

Lived a little old lady

And a little gray mouse

 

All alone with no one near

She held this little mouse quite dear

She shared what little food she had

A bit of cheese, a crumb of bread

 

When evening came and dark was nigh

They sat and watched the moon rise high

And as her memory opened wide

She told a tale of love denied

 

She spoke of years when music and dance

Could lead to dreams of sweet romance

Of how she met a boy one night

Who filled her soul with such delight

 

A fair held in the village square

The scent of lilac in the air

Adrift in music she slowly swayed

To this fairly tale, this masquerade

 

He caught her eye and shyly glanced

Then asked her if she’d like to dance

She smiled then held her hand aloft

And felt his grasp so warm and soft

 

His hair was brown, his smile so true

And a twinkle in his eyes of blue

The night was young the music gay

And time just seemed to drift away

 

They laughed and talked and felt as though

They’d known each other long ago

He spoke of things he hoped to do

His dreams of life, of all things new

 

How could this love have come so fast

How could they know that it would last

For next day he would leave for war

And love would have to reach so far

 

They danced until the music stopped

Then silence as the last note dropped

They made a pledge to meet again

They weren’t sure of where or when

 

And as they parted with words unsaid

He touched his nose to her sweet head

He kissed her lips and stroked her hair

More than that he could not dare

 

The little mouse sat very still

Upon a chair of chintz and frill

He seemed to know why she was sad

She’d lost the love she’d almost had

 

He’d heard this story many times

It’s sad, sad chords, and familiar rhymes

He watched a tear creep down her cheek

He wished to help, but could not speak

 

She dabbed the tear with a kerchief blue

And heaved a sigh “Jacques where are you?”

That night had passed so long ago

But he was still her loving beau

 

For he was gone, and what was left

Her empty soul, a life bereft

His bit of cloth she held so dear

And clutching it she felt him near

 

She smiled at mouse and then she rose

“Some cheese and bread, may I propose”

You must be hungry, so am I

My how fast the time goes by

 

She made the tea, set out two dishes

“They’re filled” she smiled, “with hopes and wishes”

Hopes unfulfilled and wishes broken

The pain of loss once more awoken

 

For mouse could understand the pain

That all her love had been in vain

Snatched before it had begun

By the smoking barrel of a gun

 

“The Western Front of France” she said

Is where my Jacques lay cold and dead”

So many, many years ago

Where now you see the wild flowers grow

 

What once was bathed in blood and fears

Is now the place of silent tears

For fathers, brothers, sons and friends

They suffer all, it never ends

 

The dreams of Jacques so very strong

As if he’s there and nothing’s wrong

That together they did have a life

He her husband, she his wife

 

“They say I’ve wasted life in dreams

But that is not the way it seems

I feel his presence night and day

But how this can be I cannot say”

 

She looked at mouse, and mouse at her

And a sentiment began to stir

I don’t remember when he came

I only know he soothes my pain

 

He just appeared one day, I think

I spied his head in that little chink

And so it went from day to day

Until he crept out all the way

 

That is when he became my friend

My boon companion until the end

It seems he’s been here many years

Through all my trials and all my fears

 

And yet a mouse’s life is short

Two years at most they do purport

But here he is alive and well

How this can be I cannot tell

 

Mouse knew that he could never go

He could not leave her in her woe

Until the day she could embrace

The promise of a better place

 

And so he watched her day and night

The friend of her unhappy plight

He wished that he could make her see

That life will come as it must be

 

We cannot know what’s held in store

It comes as waves upon the shore

The tide does turn and life goes on

To give us hope to build upon

 

Mouse’s anguish hurt him so

For there was something she must know

His form, his size belied the truth

How could she know, he had no proof

 

“I’m here Gabrielle, you’ll never know

How a little mouse could love you so

I’ll wait for you until the time

When I am yours and you are mine”

 

That time will come, all will be new

When we perform our pas-de-deux

I’ll hold you close and dance once more

As once we did that night of yore

 

Tonight she seemed so very weary

Her thoughts confused, her eyesight bleary

She felt the need to go to bed

A long, long rest was in her head

 

She closed her eyes, her breathing slowed

And longed to unburden a heavy load

That she had carried all these years

And beneath her lids she felt the tears

 

She took a breath, the final one

And with that breath her life was done

Alone and old, who would lament

This life, this tale that now was spent

 

Mouse scampered up, upon the bed

And touched his nose to her sweet head

Goodnight my dear, sleep well my sweet

Until the time when we shall meet

 

For life goes on in all its forms

And you will see that it transforms

For what is now will take its place

From what was then without a trace

 

He sat with her till morning crept

Upon the bed where she now slept

The sleep of ages forever more

And now for him what lie in store

 

My Gabrielle where have you gone

You are not this form I look upon

What will I do without you near

I am at last alone I fear

 

How can we ever come to be

As we once were, just you and me

Why must our time be out of sync

Where is the answer, what is the link

 

And then a sound so soft but clear

Alighted on his little ear

And as he turned and gave a blink

He saw a head inside the chink

 

Small and gray, just like his own

And soon a little body shown

A tiny mouse crept into light

And filled his heart with sweet delight

  • Author: Bella Shepard (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: April 3rd, 2022 11:25
  • Comment from author about the poem: I wrote this 3 years ago, and it started out as a simple children's poem, but kind of got away from me. I guess it's more of a story told in rhyme, and if you choose to read hope you will be awake on the other side.
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 60
  • Users favorite of this poem: dusk arising, Crowns4Christ, Paul Bell, Laura🌻
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Comments +

Comments11

  • dean langmuir

    Very nice Bella.

    • Bella Shepard

      Thank you for reading and commenting, much appreciated.

    • Bella Shepard

    • dusk arising

      I really enjoyed this moving tale with so many sentiments between the lines.
      There is something for all ages here.
      Into my favourites, thank you.

      • Bella Shepard

        Thank you so much for your kind comments.

      • Christina8

        Dear Bella, I read every word, all the rhymes so wonderful! When I read "The scent of lilac in the air", I swear I could actually smell them. Wonderful!

        • Bella Shepard

          Thank you so much for your appreciation of my poem, it means a lot to me. I was afraid it might be a little too long, but the fact that you made it to the end is very gratifying.

        • tallisman

          Wonderful, some stories want to be told! This is told so well. Loved it!

          • Bella Shepard

            I'm so glad you enjoyed it, thank you for your kind comment.

          • sorenbarrett

            Bella this wonderful tail brought images of the mouse from the movie "The Green Mile". The story was engaging and was wonderful for people of any age. It was so well rhymed and metered it just flowed. Well done

            • Bella Shepard

              Thank you dear poet, I am truly gratified by your comments. It means a great deal coming from you.

            • Crowns4Christ

              So lovely,a true work of art bella

              • Bella Shepard

                Thank you dear friend, I am truly appreciative of your comment.

              • Rocky Lagou

                Wow what a story to behold! I mean this story is so bittersweet and I love the engaging aspect of this read. It kept me interested the whole way through.

                • Bella Shepard

                  Thank you so much dear friend, I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

                • Paul Bell

                  Awesome, Bella, a journey of despair into a journey of joy. I think we all reach out when someone has gone, and if any little chink brings them back, all is good in the world.

                  • Bella Shepard

                    Thank you for your kind words dear poet for your kind words.

                  • Laura🌻

                    Dear Bella,

                    Today is the day that allowed me to read this wonderful tale. I’m happy I did. Loved it from beginning to end…so vivid, imaginative and powerful.

                    Thank you for sharing.

                    Laura🌻

                    • Bella Shepard

                      Thank you so much dear Laura for your kind comments, I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

                      • Laura🌻

                        You’re most welcome, Bella, (a beautiful name).☺️

                      • Neville


                        I was hooked from the off and found the whole thing, yep .. in its entirety .. both an appealing and compelling read throughout .. top marks from me Bella, I have no doubt that folk of all ages will/would find that reading 'A Mouse's Tale' or having it read to them a splendid way to spend an evening ..... Neville 🙂

                        • Bella Shepard

                          Thank you so much dear friend, I truly appreciate your kind words.



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