Address of the Rat Upon the Winter Solstice

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