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) - 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🌻.
Offline)
Comments11
Very nice Bella.
Thank you for reading and commenting, much appreciated.
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.
Thank you so much for your kind comments.
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!
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.
Wonderful, some stories want to be told! This is told so well. Loved it!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, thank you for your kind comment.
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
Thank you dear poet, I am truly gratified by your comments. It means a great deal coming from you.
So lovely,a true work of art bella
Thank you dear friend, I am truly appreciative of your comment.
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.
Thank you so much dear friend, I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
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.
Thank you for your kind words dear poet for your kind words.
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🌻
Thank you so much dear Laura for your kind comments, I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
You’re most welcome, Bella, (a beautiful name).☺️
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 🙂
Thank you so much dear friend, I truly appreciate your kind words.
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