It Just Takes One

‘It just takes one!’

The dormouse cries

Others pulled to its cause

And though one among them lies

They trust his steady paws

‘It just takes one!’

The tomcat mocks,

Claws glinting in the sand,

‘While you talk and talk the clocks

Stop ticking for no man.’

‘It just takes one!’

The eagle screams,

Eyes laughing from above.

And perhaps it even deems

This somehow to be love

Shadows pass and

Come again new,

As if part of a plan

Somehow each time no one knew

No one, to a man

‘It just takes one!’

The mother weeps,

Dead march before her eyes,

‘Follow where the dormouse leads

And no one leaves alive!’