In the place where dirty clothes are thrown
there the laundry hampster makes its home
A fuzzy creature that nests in lint
in the dirty clothes its quite content

It lies asleep on a pile of old shirts
under the jeans that are caked with dirt
Hiding in a pair of holey gloves
snacking on left socks, the treat it loves

But late at night when all are asleep
the laundry hampster raises its head and squeeks
It then scurries around on the floor
from the laundry pile and out the door

It sneaks around when all is still
leaving socks on the window sill
hanging old shirts on the door
and putting the underwear on the floor

It moves the lint pile in the sink
and leaves spare change in pockets, I think.
It hides the ink pens with the nice white shirts
and will eat one colored left sock for dessert

It will tie the blankets into square knots
and dance on the drapes, leaving spots
But when the sun comes through the window pane
it goes back to its pile again

It then goes back to the dirt covered jeans
to leave the people to do people things
and with a left sock for a last minute taste
It giggles at the thought of the looks on Mom's face

She shakes her head as she looks around
at all the laundry she has found
As she goes to the blankets and un ties the knots
She wonders what happened to all her left socks