by Kevin T McEneaney
Pity the door mouse, which is edible—
at least some Romans had that opinion,
since they kept doormice in tiny cages
or boxes, and ate them stuffed, baked, or fried.
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I believe that curious custom died,
replaced by noodles from China—pasta!
Door mice spend half their lives in hibernation.
They are very friendly and sociable.
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I once adopted a striped tabby cat
who was fond of playing with mice.
He would catch a mouse and let it go free….
Mice have a sense of humor and loved him,
but the cat would eventually be bored
and would eat the mouse. The cat died of worms.