The mouse that gnawed the oak-tree down <br />Began his task in early life. <br />He kept so busy with his teeth <br />He had no time to take a wife. <br /> <br />He gnawed and gnawed through sun and rain <br />When the ambitious fit was on, <br />Then rested in the sawdust till <br />A month of idleness had gone. <br /> <br />He did not move about to hunt <br />The coteries of mousie-men. <br />He was a snail-paced, stupid thing <br />Until he cared to gnaw again. <br /> <br />The mouse that gnawed the oak-tree down, <br />When that tough foe was at his feet— <br />Found in the stump no angel-cake <br />Nor buttered bread, nor cheese, nor meat— <br />The forest-roof let in the sky. <br />“This light is worth the work,” said he. <br />“I’ll make this ancient swamp more light,” <br />And started on another tree.<br /><br />Vachel Lindsay<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-mouse-that-gnawed-the-oak-tree-down/
