I saw three rats the other day in Finkelgate
two small and one adult
they raced out into open space
passed a sheltered flat’s doorway
along a path as if to hide yet obvious
beside the well-trimmed privet bush.
Three days before near that same place
but over by the courtyard square
where double cherry blossoms bloom
in Spring I saw two more.
Flushing out from bush to bush
right across my cut through path
two adult rats in a sudden dash
to be unseen on open ground
they disappeared slipped out of view.
Surviving on Take-Away. Trash, I guess.
Not from recycled waste-food bins.
They are magnetised.
It must be tough to be a city rat.
So tough in seeking winter food.
Tough in taking the chance to be seen.
A woman just ahead of me she
half stopped shuddered looked down away
pulled her smart coat closer hurried on.
And this all taking place within
such a pretty little space.
In Finkelgate
where double cherry blossoms bloom in Spring.
Poem: ‘Finkelgate’ © john william brown 03 December 2017
Drawing: ‘RAT’ © john william brown October 2014
