David Crandall Poet Personification

Notes About The Poem

5/23/2024 for Are You a Mouse Or A Mountain Poetry Contest sponsored by Matt Caliri

My Life as a Mouse

I awoke this morning in a reflective state,
Considering my life in the Johnston estate, 
And my trials and tribulations as a mouse,   
Living, as I am, actually, beneath their house.

Cats, birds, and everything wants to eat me, and heck,
Even Ms. Johnston sets traps to break my neck. 
Cartoonists want to make me a joke or a clown.
I don't dress like Mickey.  I'm a dull grey brown.

I'm dignified; Don't listen to cartoonist guys.
Though, I admit my ears are too big for my size.
Sometimes, I curse the enormity of each ear 
Because of the silly arguments I hear.

First, the husband yells at the wife, and she yells back.
Then, both yell at the kids, until someone gets a whack.
It's pretty hard to keep calm and improve my mood
On a diet of insects and stale pet food.

It's lucky that I'm an extra resourceful guy - 
Hear the principles of reason I did apply:
From squeak thoughts to squeak words to a sleeping man's ear, 
A man's dream when waking now as thoughts will appear.

And so it was that soon Mrs. Johnston bought cheese.
My diet was now not something to make me sneeze.  
There was stilton, Swiss, pecorino Romano,
Camembert and Parmigiano-Reggiano. 

I was just about as content as I could be 
'Til I woke up to someone whispering to me.
My wife was saying, "you're not the king of this house.
Be afraid of the lady with the broom, you louse".

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thriveni c mysore July 21, 2024 at 9:46 PM Your poem made me love a mouse & his practical missus of house now! Congratulations dear poet. David Crandall July 22, 2024 at 8:58 PM Thanks Thriveni!

Mystic Rose Rose July 21, 2024 at 3:27 AM This was fun and creatively written, a joy to read first thing in the morning, congrats on your win dear poet David Crandall July 21, 2024 at 9:14 AM Thanks Mystic Rose, glad you enjoyed! It was fun to write.

Matt Caliri July 20, 2024 at 9:12 PM Congrats, Daniel, on placing 12th out of 35 entries in my contest! Loved the humor, you had me at "the Johnston estate." Wonderful description and word choice. David Crandall July 21, 2024 at 9:15 AM Thanks Matt, it was a good contest idea - fun!

Linda Alice Fowler May 24, 2024 at 5:03 PM What fun Dave. This is a cute personification with fun rhyming. Cheers! :) David Crandall May 24, 2024 at 5:32 PM Thanks Linda!

Mrs. Yolanda Nicholsen May 24, 2024 at 9:46 AM This is an amazing write enjoyed reading your work David Crandall May 24, 2024 at 5:31 PM Thanks Yolanda! Glad you enjoyed it!

Susan Ashley May 24, 2024 at 8:01 AM Dear David, your light-hearted personification of the mouse is ingenious. Your poem is delightful with awesome rhymes, smooth flow and an intriguing storyline. Absolutely love the twist in the last stanza after I thought the mouse had finally found his Heaven on Earth. The imagery of your last two lines brought giggles.. poor Mr. Johnson! No wonder he dreamed he was a mouse! Superb, engaging poetry my friend! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan David Crandall May 24, 2024 at 8:22 AM Haha, thanks Susan! It was fun to write. Thanks for giving this poem a test drive - you laughed in the places I was hoping you would!