The mouse

Timid shy she says
whiskers twitch
nose quivers
I am a mouse
hiding—
behind cupboards
doors
bits of scraps
odds and ends
I hear you—
I stand to attention
hold my breath
don't
no—don't
try and find me
I'm hidden
at least I think I am
why do you want to find me—
hurt me
all I want—
a bit of bread
old
stale
dry
bread
to fill my belly
lest I need to run
and hide
and run
and have nothing
to keep me going—
just a
small
teeny
tiny
piece
of bread