RATMOSPHERIC

RATMOSPHERIC

Shrunken, I entered the damp dark drain
And would never be quite the same again
That one encounter I had was so inspiring
A strange new perspective I was acquiring

With a glint of light in contrast to the dim
A rat stood there, as if a spotlight on him
It began to sing, but with a plaintive voice
The song was such an unexpected choice

It sounded quite operatic, Puccini I’d say
Something about sad hope and Un Bel Di
And the unrequited love for a visiting rat
But I am really not sure about any of that

He finished, and brought tears to my eyes
This experience was certainly a big surprise
I never would guess that rodents could sing
And such sung emotions would have wings

I found myself applauding, but I was alone
The rat glanced at me and I heard a groan
For the heartache there was no quick cure
And such private grief in that empty sewer

It turned away slowly and giving me a nod
Seemed not to recognise that this was odd
A human audience, smaller than expected
Yet some shared feelings were still detected

I saw it disappear, scuttling into the gloom
I’d not see the likes of that again, I assume
But I did hope it would not end in suicide
At least in sharing emotions, it really tried