My Rat
by John Riley
Today I'll make the call
to exterminate
the rat that lives
behind the white plaster
of my warehouse office.
She's here in the morning
when I flip the switch
and catch a glimpse
of her nose as it fades
into her black space.
Once there was a flash
of five-digit claws,
slate, soft stomach,
slim tail, finely scaled;
a face that slopes
from wide, proud brow,
down an aristocrat's nose.
Late in the day I hear
the hungry squeaks
of her blind young.
Nights, she wanders
searching for food
throughout this old mill
where long-dead weavers
once wove cheap fabric;
where I spend my hours
behind stacks of books
on an assortment of subjects:
Cortés and Montezuma,
the St. Bart's Day Massacre,
a few on diseases
my rat will outlast.
We have shared our time,
two lives, one phantom.
I exited the night,
she entered the day,
in a dance we danced
on feet that fell
small on the earth.
to exterminate
the rat that lives
behind the white plaster
of my warehouse office.
She's here in the morning
when I flip the switch
and catch a glimpse
of her nose as it fades
into her black space.
Once there was a flash
of five-digit claws,
slate, soft stomach,
slim tail, finely scaled;
a face that slopes
from wide, proud brow,
down an aristocrat's nose.
Late in the day I hear
the hungry squeaks
of her blind young.
Nights, she wanders
searching for food
throughout this old mill
where long-dead weavers
once wove cheap fabric;
where I spend my hours
behind stacks of books
on an assortment of subjects:
Cortés and Montezuma,
the St. Bart's Day Massacre,
a few on diseases
my rat will outlast.
We have shared our time,
two lives, one phantom.
I exited the night,
she entered the day,
in a dance we danced
on feet that fell
small on the earth.
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Author's Note
An old poem I've never submitted.
Other stories by John Riley
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I like the intimacy here of the speaker and the rat, like an invisible bond that binds them, despite the concept of "exterminate." And the last five lines do indeed indicate that bond in their dance. Nice.
Beautiful, ineffable, like a display of hand shadows on an ancient wall. Enjoyed!
"We have shared our time,
two lives, one phantom." I have similar feelings for my dog, unexpressed.
Georgeous and moving. Great for Animal Group. His loving description of her and her young: you know he's no making any call. Fave*.
Love the narrator's curious bond with the rat and the dance on feet that fell small on the earth. Wonderful use of language. Fav.
Brings grace to the ordinary and by doing so reminds us that the extraordinary lives half-seen behind the curtains of habit.
Really enjoyed.
Thanks, everyone for the nice words. They brighten up my day.
What a wonderful pre-epitaph to a companion. The final lines are killer.*
Reminds of Harry Chapin songs... and every bit as fine.
Thanks, JP and James. I delighted you like it.
"where I spend my hours
behind stacks of books
on an assortment of subjects:
Cortés and Montezuma,
the St. Bart's Day Massacre,
a few on diseases
my rat would outlast."
Good piece, John. Good darkness here. *
I'm a sucker for a rat poem.
I haven't had time to be on Fictionaut in a while. Getting back on and reading this is such a treat. *
Fave, John. Hint to the narrator: cancel the call to exterminator.Your symbiotic friend brings you a little joy and a bit of respite from your loneliness.
and she cleans up the crumbs left behind...
fave*
I liked it throughout, was hoping you'd find a perfect way to end it. You did. *
Thanks, Sam, Sally, Katie, David, Sally (2) and Beate, for taking time to read my poem. Much appreciated.
How does one make a rat interesting? Here's how. Good writing really can find that glimmer of beauty in everything. Lovely.
Keep the varmint alive. For inspiration. An ending that takes the breath, makes the heart sink. Fav.
Thanks, Jen and Jake for the nice comments. Glad you liked my poem.
Good stuff. *
Wonderful dance with the beast. Read this a number of times with increasing joy and astonishment about the associations that this generated. *
My rat and I both liked this poem. We have agreed to tolerate each other. Thank you, John.
Thanks James, Marcus and Dom. It's great you enjoyed it.
This brightens my own morning. Very nice the unanswered questions. Yes, call the exterminator: like Arjuna in the GITA, it is your dharma to kill rodents in your space; but that doesn't mean you shouldn't appreciate their intimate involvement with your own existence. Thanks again for posting!