It would not be proper to let poor little Hilbert go to his rest without the meed of some melodious song. I therefore offer the following memorial ode, inspired by Tennyson’s “In Memoriam.”.
In Hilbertiam
(Hilbert Derbyshire, 2005-2006, r.i.p.)
No more the rattle of the wheel
Or scratching at the water-spout;
No more that microscopic squeal
Of pleasure, when the food’s put out.
That living warmth my hands once held,
That gaze of slightly nervous trust,
Those squeaks of pleasure now are stilled;
All gone, as spirit ever must.
Where you now dwell the water’s sweet
As honeyed wine to human lips;
There rodents all in friendship meet–
No scratching fights or envious nips.
The wooden shavings there are deep,
The sunflower seeds heaped high as hills;
No reason there to pine or weep,
As each his plump cheek-pouches fills.
Your life was brief, your needs were slight.
We kept you warm, and clean, and fed.
And now you dream through death’s long night,
Laid safely in your garden bed.