A Crack In Instinct

• Tanika Schumann, Grade 7
• Poetry
• 2015

As it skimmed past the bars, I thought the mouse was safe
But as though it knew it were prey, it came back out to meet its fate
My cat lunged, her rusty instincts polished quickly
She tapped its body playfully before clasping her teeth lightly over its neck
A fellow uncaught victim attempted to chase the predator away
But an innocent rabbit had no effect on the way of life
Struck by shock, the bunny watched
As the cat scampered to the corner
She released the rodent and guarded it like treasure
But the rabbit’s hop snapped her face toward him
Her eyes widened and she stared accusingly
But when the mouse attempted escape she patted it back to its place
I could see the creature panting, each breathe was a struggle
But it did not give up
Pushing its head into the soil it began digging under the fence
As though the cat couldn’t bear the weight of murder, she nudged the mouse along