Pay Some Rent

I'm surrounded by 7 acres of beautiful gardens in Pasyala, Sri Lanka, perched on top of a hill which borders a large a coconut plantation. It was a beautiful existence. Then the rats moved in.

Look,

I don't mind if you want to have a party.

We all like to party from time to time.

But

every night?

Who invited you anyway?

I certainly didn't.

In fact,

I've done my best to get rid of you.

But you've just invited more of your friends.

 

And

you don't even pay

to be here.

Ok,

shall we call a truce?

Let's find a way to live peacefully together,

What's that?

You say you're happy here and not moving.

Then I shall have to take you by force.

 

Bang, crash, scutter, squeak.

Louder

Louder

Louder

 

Night after night.

 

Sticky, glossy-glue gum

doesn't work.

Cold, hard, steel-springed snappers

don't work.

Small, candy-pink pebbles of poison

don't work.

 

Right,

I'm taking the roof off

to flush you infuriating furry fuckers out.

No

more sleep deprivation for me.

I need quiet in the dark.

You've gone

during the daytime, while the roof is off.

But back again the same night.

 

Night after night.

 

At least pay some rent then.

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Let me know what you think. I'm trying to get my frustration across but in a light-hearted manner without refering to rats specifically. Does this work? Should I leave more up to the imagination of the reader?

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I like the poem as is. I like the use of rats to make your point. I went to Asia, Africa and South America. Rats never concerns me. The insects never gave me peace. The mosquito net was a necessary item. I like the repetition of the desire of the rats to pay some rent. Thank you for the entertaining poem.
Coyote

[Tricia O'Brien]

I dig your style

Trish-

[Joby Bottoms]

Thanks Trish :-)