Writer Unboxed

Just when we get our first review at Cobwebs of the Mind (check it HERE) and we’re labeled ”a serious, no nonsense blog,” I pull out a bit o’ nonsense from the WU hat. But it’s a holiday, so I insist that I’m entitled to my fun.

Thought I’d share a story I wrote eons ago when I was dabbling in children’s picture book concepts. This was my first attempt at a rhyming story, and I’ll tell you that I dreamed in rhyme for weeks while writing it! It has a holiday slant and, since I know it’ll never be truly published for a variety of reasons, I thought “what the heck! I’ll post it!” (Lucky you. Ahem.) I apologize in advance for the length and sing-songiness, but I hope you get a kick out of it anyway.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

FIELDS OF DAPPER GREEN
by Therese Walsh

In a field of dapper green,
A gray mouse hid one day.
Feeling spry and kind of mean,
He plotted where he lay.

 

 

“I’m tired of that puss!” he spat.
“I’m feeling so run down.
I really need to drive that cat
A-packing out of town.”

Queenie was that kitty’s name,
The mouse was Little Stu.
He’d had it with her chasing game
And all her pouncing too.

 

He smoothed a spot upon the ground
Then found some writing sticks.
“To really make her leave,” he frowned,
“Will take some special tricks.”

Stu worked like mad on his campaign.
His maps were complicated.
He proved that day a mouse’s brain
Is truly underrated.

 

 

 

He threw things in a canvas sack:
A Halloween disguise,
A megaphone, some lights, a snack,
A drum, a jar of flies.

“It’s bound to work! I’ll start tonight!
I’ll find her sleeping place.
I’ll tiptoe in the soft moonlight
Right past her dreaming face.

“I’ll climb upon her windowpane
And hide behind her drapes.
I’ll build a fearsome beast’s domain
With detailed shadow shapes.

“I’ll roar into my megaphone.
She’ll wake with spiny hair!
She’ll look to find she’s all alone
Inside a dragon’s lair.

“Some friends will help me dramatize
Effects that I require.
A group of helpful fireflies
Will mock that dragon’s fire.

“I’ll hide my hands, then dragon’s gone.
The flies will quickly shoo.
I’ll flick my flashlight buttons on
And move into Phase Two.

“I’ll zing my lights all through the room
Like lightning everywhere.
I’ll beat a drum to sound a boom
Like thunder in the air.

 

 

 

“She’ll barrel down the staircase
To escape the lights and sounds.
She’ll head out to her favorite place:
The greenhouse, on the grounds.

“I’ll have the sprinkler’s timer set
To go off while she’s there.
I’ll know that Queenie’s soaking wet
When shrieks drift through the air!

“She’ll scurry back into the night,
Then spy a tiny treat.
A trail will lead her, bite by bite,
Back to her bedroom suite.

“Then from my sack, one final trick:
A treat for me alone.
I’ll light a little candlestick
And squeak an eerie moan.”

“She’ll see my ghostly figure there
Before her bulging eyes.
She’ll hear me whisper in the air:
‘You’ll listen, if you’re wise!’

“‘Tonight was just a little taste
Of what I have in store.
I do suggest you leave posthaste
Or else I’ll give you more!’

“‘My home is haunted by a spook!’
That kitty cat will say.
‘I’d like to think it’s just a fluke,
But I can’t live this way!’

 

 

“She’ll pack her bags right there and then
And leave before the dawn.
I’ll sleep a week, then rest again
Right on that cat’s front lawn.”

Stu marveled at his slyness
And began to feel appeased.
But then he heard Her Highness
Sounding more-or-less displeased!

 

 

“She’s hissing…growling,” stuttered Stu,
“Now there can be no doubt,
She’s seen my plans! She’ll eat me too!”
Then someone hollered out,

“Hey Queenie, meet our new dog, King!”
Stu couldn’t help but stare.
He watched this new four-legged thing
Chase kitty’s derriere.

A lovely smile lit up his face.
He knew now he’d be free!
“She’ll be too tuckered out to chase
A little mouse like me!”

He emptied out his canvas sack,
Put everything away,
Then nibbled on a kitty snack
And plopped down in the hay.

 

 

‘Twas there he settled down to sleep,
Safe from the King and Queen.
And slumber found him very deep,
In fields of dapper green. 

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