Billy Pugh
Twas the night before sunrise
and all through the warehouse,
not a creature was stirring
except Elmer, the field mouse.
It was 1962
And times were hard on mice.
Elmer had eaten this month
only twice.
Away to the bin
he scurried like a flash.
He squeezed under the door,
and irritated his little rash
He bobbed his head up,
and twitched his little nose.
“I think I’ve hit the jackpot!
They’ve got Lays and Fritos!”
He scratched and he clawed
He bit and he chewed
“Gee,” he wondered
“What am I going to do with all this food?”
“I guess I’ll take some home,
then come back and get more.
But just as he was thinking that,
there was a sound at the front door.
Elmer scurried away fast.
He had enough warning.
“But who could it be?” he thought.
“It’s 3:30 in the morning!”
Elmer’s eyes stuck to the entrance
like glue.
The door swung wide,
and in walked Billy Pugh.
He was a good-looking man,
but check out those bushy eyebrows!
To Elmer, they looked bigger
than what the law allows!
He guessed they were to cover those puffy eyes.
They looked like vanilla wafers!
He looked like he spent the night
at Heartbreakers!
Billy said not a word,
but went straight to his work.
He started to load his truck,
then turned with a jerk.
Now Billy wasn’t a temperate man,
but his blood pressure was up a bit.
“Someone’s made a mess in here!
And what’s this? Mouse ****?”
Billy shook his head,
and with his arm gave a wave.
“I’ll clean it up later,
after a haircut and a shave.”
Billy’s pockets jingled when he walked.
He was a man of great wealth.
It wasn’t just his bankroll.
It was his pride, his happiness, and his health.
Elmer’s eyes widened as Billy
crouched near him on the floor.
“Eat all you want, mouse.
I’m sure we’ll make more.”
It was then that Elmer knew
That this man would go far.
He’d do some good things.
He’s shine brighter than the brightest star.
The years have gone by now,
And Billy shares the simple times of the past.
As long as his mind holds out,
the memories will last and last.
Elmer has looked in on Billy
from time to time.
He’s seen the new technologies.
He’s seen the Pepsi stock climb.
He saw him that last day,
just before he walked out the door.
Billy said “I’m old and I’m slow
and I can’t do 32 more.”
“No more of this.
Let the computers do the math.
I’m ready to find
my own golden path.”
Copyright © Mike Shoemaker | Year Posted 2016
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