The Last Sleeper

Dormouse, dormir.

Tree hollow, toe clutch,

storybook curl

of fur.

Anthracite eyes

alert for owl.

Mouthful of acorn,

wren’s egg, wasp gall.

Flower forage

in fading light.

Last nocturnal

arboreal heist.

Last litter. Final young,

their ears

lamplit by

Milky Way.

Final dew point,

final day,

final moss

and leaf fall nest.

Final food store.

Final torpor.

Final dormouse.

Final rest.