The Rat
2009?


Watch the rat in an endless maze
His face so long -
He's seen better days

Deadbeat
Downbeat
Doesn't know which way to turn
While spiders crawl the walls
Looking for souls to eat

As the dusty sun casts cold shadows
Through broken glass
The shopkeeper and the tailor
Take bets on whether the rat will escape
Or not

The delicate silence is broken by bawling babies
Calling for their mothers' milk

But just when the rat thinks he's found the way out
He's back at the start of the maze
Amazed and confused
He's used to it now.


Poetry © Christopher Hester 2009
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