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"A piece of whimsy, inspired by a visiting rat we named as Roland, plus our neighbours cat Pickle." - D G Moody


Roland the rat, I do you espy,
with your straw boater,
soft collar, and tie.
You’ve given me offence
via a hole in my fence;
and your perambulation
gives me discombobulation.

I see how you saunter about,
while your striped blazer
is exceedingly loud;
and your familiarity,
takes no account of
our situations disparity.
If you persist I must insist,
that however gaily
you strum your ukulele,
that for all our sakes you
shall henceforth desist!

Now see, your nemesis appears,
with sharp fangs,
and pricked ears;
this most fearsome of cats,
is eager to teach manners
to supercilious rats.

Her common name is Pickle,
which conveys very little.
In the halls of Feline Glory
her real name tells a story,
of great accomplishment,
in meting out dire punishment

She, Great Magnificat Fang
of the Eldred Witches
her long tail now twitches;
so, rat, there’s no time to flounce,
she is now ready to pounce

Now Roland cease your strumming,
as she creeps stealthily forward
it’s time for you to be running.
Cast your boater and jacket aside
you must now run and hide,
you’ve far outstayed your stay;
the fence hole is your getaway

Back to where whence you came,
where rats eschew jackets and hats,
and all appear just the same.
Yet on a balmy summer evening,
when reposing in my arbour,
unless I was but dreaming,
I thought I still heard play,
the plaintive notes of a ukulele.

© D G Moody 2023