"The Mouse."
"The unexpected appearance of a mouse
in the cafeteria of the Museum of Modern Art
briefly indexes my memory to a picture
in the encyclopedia Britannica of a kangaroo rat.
My naive elementary school boy belief of good versus bad.
Pest.
It is that cute and moves with such indifference.
My ears begin to tune themselves for the sound of a child
or mother pet hunting.
A jangle of blush and small misgivings.
It's slightly larger than my thumb, harmless in its desires.
But since it's confirmed for once my peripheral vision,
I rise from the table as if we're
about to give it my evolutionary seat.
One species admitting its shortcomings
to the next big thing.
How do we deal with this?
This kinetic ambassador that has suspended
forks and conversations.
Brought us all eye to eye.
Finally."
[APPLAUSE]