a noise in the attic

Explication:  I wrote this at the prompting of my friend and neighbor John, who was describing an issue that one of our mutual neighbors was having with critters in her attic.  She evidently hadn’t known she had mice in the attic until she noticed the snakes making their way to what was for them a snack bar; I decided to explore this to its logical conclusion – and incorporate John in the story.  

Something went thump, or bang, or squeak,
Where the boxes and baffles are kept,
And I was too scared to go up for a peek
So I sent up the old man instead.

“What do you see?” I asked of him,
“With your flashlight beam so bright?”
“It’s only a mouse, wee timorous thing,”
He said, “no cause for a fright.”

Something went thump, or bang, or squeak,
Where the old books and hatpins are kept,
And I was too scared to go up for a peek
So I sent up the old man instead.

“What do you see?” I asked of him,
“With your candlestick so bright?”
“It’s a only snake, with a taste for mice,”
He said, “no cause for a fright.”

Something went thump, or bang, or squeak,
Where the costumes and clap-boards are kept,
And I was too scared to go up for a peek
So I sent up the old man instead.

“What do you see?” I asked of him,
“With your lantern lit so bright?”
“It’s an owl, with a penchant for snakes,”
He said, “no cause for a fright.”

Something went thump, or bang, or squeak,
Where the old shoes and secrets are kept,
And I was too scared to go up for a peek
So I sent up the old man instead.

“What do you see?” I asked of him,
“With your electric torch so bright?”
“It’s only a cat, in an owl-feathered hat,”
He said, “no cause for a fright.”

Something went thump, or bang, or squeak,
Where the dust and diamonds are kept,
And I was too scared to go up for a peek
So I sent up the old man instead.

“What do you see?” I asked of him,
“With your hurricane lamp so bright?”
“It’s a fox, with a cat-tailed grin,”
He said, “no cause for a fright.”

Something went thump, or bang, or squeak,
Where the furs and the memories are kept,
And I was too scared to go up for a peek
So I sent up the old man instead.

“What do you see?” I asked of him,
“With your penlight beam so bright?”
“It’s just a coyote, with a fox-fur stole,”
He said, “no cause for a fright.”

Something went thump, or bang, or squeak,
Where the tchotchkes and clutter are kept,
And I was too scared to go up for a peek
So I sent up the old man instead.

“What do you see?” I asked of him,
“With your lighter that flickers so bright?”
“It’s just a bear, lying down for a nap,”
He said, “no cause for a fright.”

Something went thump, or bang, or squeak,
Where the dolls and the doilies are kept,
And I was too scared to go up for a peek
So I sent up the old man instead.

“What do you see?” I asked of him,
“With your beacon that shines so bright?”
“It’s a tree, grown tall with leaves and all,”
He said, “no cause for a fright.”

Something went thump, or bang, or squeak,
Where the treasures and dreams are kept,
And I was too scared to go up for a peek
So I sent up the old man instead.

“What do you see?” I asked of him,
“With your eyes that gleam so bright?”
“A giraffe, and he’s eating those leaves,”
He said, “no cause for a fright.”

“No cause for a fright?” I asked, aghast.
“There’s a giraffe in my attic up there!”

“No, no cause for a fright,” he said,
“Unless he wakes up that bear.”