Where the Nose Goes Out of the shoebox, the hammock or nest, Awakens the nose from its much-needed rest. A quick polish up from a paw rubbed around, And then does the nose start to leave, sniff around. Out of the bedding, towards the cage door, And when it is opened, descend to the floor. Sniff at the carpet, sniff on the bed, Sniffing those socks fills their human with dread. Testing the table for signs of old lunch, Things that the teeth can steal, grab, and munch. Brushing with whiskers the edge of the room, Then off go the feet to the other end, zoom! Approaching the chair leg, the whiskers don't lie, But then the nose strikes - aha! Some dropped pie! Quickly the teeth and the paws do their work, And it's off to the sofa with a bound and a smirk. Under the sofa to finish the prize, Although it is of a rather large size. So leave some for later, down here in the dark, And leave a quick trail, a self-scented mark. Then out once again goes the nose happily, The whiskers are twitching, the feet bound in glee. But then, there's a human, it offers a treat. The nose, it goes haywire - look, something to eat! The teeth do their job as the human descends, To pick up the body and all its loose ends. The nose sniffs around as it moves through the air, And then is set down by the cage with great care. The food bag is shaken, the teeth brux in joy, And once again fall for that old human ploy. The feet charge inside, the teeth grab the food, And then the cage door is closed - well how rude! And after the eating is over and done, The teeth have consumed and the feet have all run, The nose does return to its welcoming nest, And settles to enjoy a much-needed rest! - Elana Kirby