A Late Night Mouse

by George V. Van Deventer

The weather was harsh —
Low temperature, with
Snow changing to rain.
Before turning in for the night
I checked the thermometer.
A tiny mouse scampered
Across the deck.
It was warming itself
Off a small draft of air
curling
From under the door sill.
Mousy briskly leaped
behind a pile of snow.
I watched for a moment
Turning to shut the light and thought:
Mousy in the dark
            Mousy in the rain
Mousy not in bed with me tonight.