Head of the Mouse

The month of August has arrived, and I’m moving along on my quest to post a blog daily. I challenged myself to this intense post schedule. I have used the year 2021 to explore the various forms of poetry. This month I decided to write Proverbial forms of poetry. I will pick a proverb, a short common saying, and use it to create a poem in whatever direction the Muse chooses to lead me. However, you must remember we are talking about Word Daddy here. My Muse isn’t dependability or inspirational.  He often leaves me high and dry when I need his help the most. Apparently, Proverbials have no particular rules. I will try not to sound cliché. My next attempt to write a Proverbial Poem, I will call Head of the Mouse.

Head of the Mouse

“It is better to be the head of a mouse than the tail of the lion” is an old gypsy proverb. It goes hand in hand with “it is better to be a big fish in a little pond than a small fish in a big ocean.” I can see the wisdom in both sayings.

Head of the Mouse

I always wanted to do something with my life

Have the courage of a lion

Roar like a giant cat

Show my teeth to make an impression

Not to mention

Having the power to rule

I would be a fearless predator

Stalking the plains with my swishing tail

Instead, I became the head of the mouse

With control of the rodents, every decision

My destiny seemed somehow cruel

To be the mind of a furry little creature

Evading the ruthless household cat

Disappearing into tiny hiding places without fail

A big fish in a little pond

With the strategic ability to disappear

Escaping behind thick walls

Never to become a felines plaything

I guess in the scheme of life

It is better to be small

Especially in the current of a big ocean

The tail makes no decision

It travels where ever the lion chooses to go

While the head of the mouse

Can tell you everything you need to know

Who is Molly Shea?

Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh.  To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.

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