the snack

I was woken from my sleep by the whiskers of a mouse against my cheek.

I said, “What is it, mouse?”

The mouse said, “I’m hungry. Can you get me some cheese?”

I sighed.

The mouse said, “Please, I’m very hungry.”

I said, “I guess.”

I got out of bed and went to the kitchen and the fridge and out got out some cheddar. I put it on a plate and placed it on the floor.

The mouse said, “Thank you” and began to nibble at the cheese.

I stood and stared at the mouse. The mouse stopped eating.

The mouse said, “What?”

I said, “You’re making me hungry. Do you mind if I join you?”

The mouse shrugged its tiny shoulders. I got down on the floor and nibbled alongside the mouse.

Reform

The broken glass tried to reassemble. It managed to come back together but rather than as its original shape as a vase it was now a car windshield. It considered shattering again to give its old form another try, but after a pause it got decided to see what it was like to do something new.

Crossroads

I stood at the crossroads. I looked left. I looked right.

A crow landed on a tree by the side of the road.

I said, “What do you recommend?”

The crow said, “If you go about a mile to the left, there’s Shangri-La.”

I said, “What about the right?”

The crow said, “Oh, you don’t want to go there.”

I went to the right. After a couple miles I came to a collapsed bridge.

I said to the bridge, “Are you okay?”

The bridge said, “What do you think?”

Visit

I went to your house. I knocked but you weren’t there.

The door was locked. I tried a side window. It opened and I climbed in.

I sat on your sofa. I stroked my hair and pretended it was yours.

Behind

I stood behind the sofa. I felt comfortable. If someone were to see me, chances are they would avoid me because it’s odd to stand behind a sofa. I like to be avoided. It’s quieter, safer, and easier.

I stood behind the sofa for an hour and a half. No one came by during that time. You could say it was a wasted effort. But I disagree because for that time I felt peaceful.