Abstract
Address of the Rat Upon the Winter Solstice Debora Greger (bio) Let winter gnaw the year to the bone.Let December claw anything that moves—a sickle of moon cuts a hole in the dark the size of a rat. Creatures of the alley, prick up your ears!The longest night, carved with a lost,a bent, a tarnished teaspoon from the frozen dirt, is ours. Should the Son of Man thinkto be born again, let him be warned:the young and the weak are here to be devoured. In the cruel chill of the meantime,the tallest animal of the street,two-legged, furless, wrapped in fake fur— the flightless bird has hung his bird-feeders, it is true.But do not rush to fight over the spill.For, in the shed under which I burrow, unknown to him, I tell you, he has left loose a tin of suet cakes.Out of woodpile and leaf litter,from flower pot fallen on its side, crawl. Hurry. [End Page 514] Rat and mouse, vole or shrew,lift the refinement of your snouts.Past frost, past trash—citizens of the alley, we feast tonight. [End Page 515] Debora Greger Debora Greger is the author of eight books of poetry. Her new collection will be published next year. Copyright © 2011 Debora Greger
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.