‘Rats’

Annie says

There might be

Rats

In the garden.

 

The last time

I saw a rat

(barring my Mumbai street-toilet incident last month)

Was a few years ago

In

Crane Moor.

 

I had been enthusiastically

Feeding the birds

With lard coated peanuts

Which

Attracted the attention

Of a local hedgehog.

 

With

Joy

I encouraged this visitor,

Glorying in his companionship.

 

I even introduced

Cat food

On a saucer

Beside our glorious Larch.

 

The rats,

The couldn’t resist.

 

I didn’t see the big deal –

All friendly rodents to me.

 

But, no, that wasn’t the way it was to be.