17 Comments

So when i was a boy there was a book series called "Biker Mice From Mars" and as the name suggests these Mice were bikers.. they looked tough.. and somehow being "from Mars" qualified any of the questions that might arise as to why they exist.

But they wore earings... Cool kinda mean looking earings. And when your poem I thought about them and thought how it'd be funny if that mouse in fact was a biker and came from Mars.

Another fantastic and grounding story in a poem, thank you for sharing, I always look forward to reading your work.

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Biker Mice from Mars! That's amazing! All my years in libraries and I've never come across that one. I may have to begin a search. I'm not sure what it is about mice that makes them so readily (and delightfully) anthropomorphized. The Mouse and the Motorcycle was a favorite of mine and then of my kids. So glad this brought back those Martian biker mice back to your mind. 😊

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Googling it now I am realising it was actually some sort if cartoon which I dont think I ever saw, just these small childrens episodic penguin books... Perhaps I am better for never having seen the cartoon on tv 😂😅

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So funny what things worm their way into long term memory when you’re a kid. I’ve forgotten so many edifying books, and yet Scooby Doo episodes turned into cheap picture books are still with me. Sigh.

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I came away with a deeper respect for mice... and a recollection of Stuart Little. Do you know him?

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Of course I remember Stuart Little! There are so many wonderful fictional mice. I think the one I was most reminded of when writing this poem was Tucker from The Cricket In Times Square series of books. He's a very acquisitive mouse who live in the the Times Square subway station with his friend Harry Cat. His collection was extensive!

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Love this!!!

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This is a fun one! And how sweet that you and your daughter swap poems. I'd love to do the same with my kids one day...for now I'm trying to keep my obsession with poetry to a low enough roar that they don't totally hate it by the time they're 10. Though, yesterday I was recording one and my son (2) piped up and even echoed the final line...things are looking up!

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I love this poem, Tara! Like Petra, I too still think about this poem sometimes, and about the ways we make common village with the other lives we share spaces with. This poem is so heartwarming and life-affirming. :)

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Thanks, Adam. I remember you said it should be a children’s book. I haven’t forgotten that… just need the right illustrator.

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No, I never knew! Well, you’re never tooo old to learn something new.

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I love this. I'm imagining the mouse passing the earring on to her daughter and then her daughter...as a family heirloom!

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I must agree. This is probably my favorite poem of the ones you shared for February Poetry Adventure, Tara. (And you had several great ones.) I still think about this poem and the mouse and the earring. It brings me so much joy. :)

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Oh, I'm so glad you remember this one and it makes you happy. 🤗

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Mice are cute outside and afar. I would rather have a mouse than a cockroach. Right?

My favorite are books starring mice.

Your poem was delightful with great descriptions and even tips to keep them at bay. I’d love to read your daughter’s poem. Perhaps you could share it.

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A great thing about poetry is its power to make you emphasize with abstract concepts that are usually foreign to you or creatures that scare the heck out of you. Today it's a mouse that steals a single earring. I had goosebumps by the end of this poem!

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Daniel, thank you so much. What a compliment. I'm so happy this was so impactful.

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