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A Wanderer's Treasure | Elizabeth Howlett

If you want to visit the mouse that sings, you

just have to tread past the rocks and things,


past the tulips, daisies, and roses,

past the meadow and the shepherd that dozes.


Ask if you can visit the prince,

and then do your best to convince


and maybe his butler will hand you a trumpet,

or a nice round crumbly crumpet,


and say to you “go right ahead now!”

and show you along with a polite head bow.


Then you’ll enter a giant gold room

that has the most delightful perfume.


The smell brings you back the mem’ries of friends,

Images of relations come to an end.


After you take in the view,

you notice what’s right in front of you.


A tiny gray mouse all puffed up and proud,

but also humble and wearing a crown.


The prince will say “welcome my friend!”

and you have to pretend


that your nerves don't exist

as you bend down to kiss


the beautiful rings that lay on his knuckles

or when he inevitably chuckles


and says that there is no need

to be so formal, indeed,


he shakes your hand and takes you over

right to a small special corner


and asks you to take out the horn

that you had so patiently worn


around your neck for this very moment,

and then your hands come to hold it


up to your mouth and you duet,

the tiny gray mouse who puffs to get


a great gulp of air looking big and wise,

whose singing is more beautiful than a summer’s

sunrise.

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