Mouse

Emily Rosen

Old kitchen floor

Bare beige and brown

Except for

Gleaming glistening glossy

Silver coiled spring

Shining menacingly

Waiting

Taut and tensely

Ready for its prey

Out of a crack

Penetrating

The chipped wall

Flash of furry white

Appearing suddenly

Diminutive

Velvety and swift

Quicksilver

Darting toward

Delectable aroma

Of cheddar

Sees the prize

Seize the prize

Sinks his teeth

In heavenly orange

Does not linger

But still hears

The resounding snap

Of silver bar slamming

Barely missing the

Slinky pink tail

Scurries back

In the blink of an eye

To his modest home.