About Jacqueline Shirtlff:

Jacqueline is a primary school teacher and children’s poet from the Isle of Man. She has had poems published in The Caterpillar, Tyger Tyger and The Dirigible Balloon.  As a teacher she is passionate about instilling a love of poetry and reading in the children she teaches, encouraging them to be writers themselves. She lives with her husband and youngest son in a rose-covered cottage near the sea, and when she’s not teaching or writing she enjoys gardening, crochet and playing the tuba and harp, but not all at the same time!

Cosy mouse, dozy mouse, snug in your nest.

I’m fast asleep; you’ve finished your rest.

Sneaky mouse, squeaky mouse, now I’m awake!

I cannot believe how much noise you can make.

Rustle mouse, bustle mouse, busy all night;

you soon disappear when I switch on the light.

Quiet mouse? Riot mouse! This is no park.

You swing on the curtains, slide down in the dark.

Skitter mouse, jitter mouse, stealing my sleep.

Your claws tap the floors. Can’t you quietly creep?

Cute mouse, astute mouse, please do not stay.

Mittens will catch you; just go away!

Dozy mouse, cosy mouse, back in your nest.

Morning has come; I need to get dressed.