Poem: Dream Journal, January 5, 2024.

An object on the table caught my gaze

while walking through a long-forgotten room—

a plastic cage for pets. A sharp malaise

took hold, a fear of some impending doom.

Bedding it had. Cedar shavings a hand's

span deep, no telltale signs of life it gave.

I reached into the mass of fibrous strands

expecting my neglect would yield a grave.

Warmth! Four gerbils! Alive—two brown, two black.

All in surprising health, with glossy coats.

And in their nest, ripe carrots, and no lack

of striped sunflower seeds and barley oats.

The creatures made no secret of their glee;

somehow, forgiveness and grace I had won.

I scooped them up, prepared gratefully

to take them outdoors, back into the sun.

September 2024 Erin Rehil

Photo courtesy of the artist. Taken 2014, portrait of Nekomi, Rudyard, Michigan.