Rattus

Rat emerges from the bottom of the litter,
stunted, semi-starved
and burdened by its own self-image

Rat rears, fists clenched, ready to hit hard or low,
but hit first, God-like, as required

Rat tries to compensate,
but goes to pieces,
Rat overdoes it all as usual

Leptospiral refugee, cohabitee,
who gets so near and yet remains
so far removed

Rattus Rattus runt would like to rend us
running through the sewer,
squealing, gorging on its babies,
oozing out its stench

What twisted sleight on humour
bore us both upon this page?

Only one will leave and I’ve a feeling,
based on everything I’ve seen, it won’t be me