The Maligning of the Rat

(The plague and fire of London 1651c an alternative viewpoint)

mistaken you might be for

believing that black death resulted

from infestations of rampant rats

filthy creatures who spread fear

as well as contagion, yet recent

research has provided more facts

as professionals left St Giles in the Fields

and other parts of London in droves

the poor were left to cope on their own

living in slum conditions they became

the first to succumb at speed

to terrors of uncontrolled disease

human fleas and body lice found

on dirty garments, feeding on flesh

it seems were the culprits

hidden from the eye, the reason

so many died, poverty, lack of

clean clothing,hapless hygiene

spreading like wildfire, only to be

finally burned out when the

capital's skyline bled rip roaring red

when huge flames blazed for days

to consume and gut the medieval

city paving way for change

Reviews

[Patricia]

We knew so little then and medical practices were belief driven not so much knowledge driven. We have come so far in the medical field and some may say it has become a religion itself, I wouldn’t but some may. I am so glad I got to be a part of it as a nurse, I saw how faith was still part of the process and how science gave them that. Still so much to learn. Dirty practices back then were to blame and with Covid I see we still haven’t learned our lessons, sad. Great write Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Loved to read your thoughts here. Thanks so much for the read and your lovely review. You are truly appreciated.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

This is a heartfelt piece that portrays the down-trodden ,the Poore day the spread of filth, disease…and who cares, no one… has no heart beat for these pathetic creatures…..only a fate of nature took care of them, death….very well written Chris and poignant too….
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Betty, thank you for your response, always appreciated.. Have a great day.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

sorry for the poor English!!

[NotUsinganymore]

Interesting historical poem. I would not like to be in those times at all. Yuck.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you JungLee. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[NotUsinganymore]

You are welcome. I posted a new post.

[Tate Morgan]

Ah change the one thing humans cannot stand. However though rats weren't the ones to spread it. Fleas on rats were. Imagine the last one when a 3rd of us died. The landed gentry and poor alike. However the poor lived with the fleas and died for the most part because it. The 13th century was the point that is best remembered for this pestilence. In reference to our current dilemma I find it t a human trait . That of ignoring science for ignorance. A full 1/3 of America places their hope in their God Trump. And ignores that he himself was vaccinated. They are willing to die in the service of their Lord.So both times 1/3rd were willing to close their minds and pray to their god.I wonder if that is where we get the unlucky 13 idea?

[Chris Shaw]

Interesting thoughts Tate you share here. I go with the science. We have all been vaccinated. That makes me feel safer.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

And who is it that is our own worst enemy
The beat goes on
That is a very interesting bit of info

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Dave. Yes, take a walk back in history and we don't appear to have learned much do we? This was so interesting. I am a bit of a history buff on the quiet. Thanks for stopping by and may I wish you a happy weekend. A bit cooler here today. Happy to be more comfortable.

[Dave Brown]

Hundreds of fires and drought here, a real mess and I expect we will lose a number of our trees as water has became a difficult issue
A result of global warming and it wasn't the rats

[Chris Shaw]

Real shame about those trees. I sincerely hope there has been no loss of life or houses being burned to the ground. So sad to hear this :(

[Dave Brown]

a complete town was burned to the ground along with loss of life
never seen anything like it
we live in the forest and I'm waiting for the hammer to fall and our well has gone dry
fun

[Chris Shaw]

so, so sorry. We do not hear about it over here. Please, please keep safe.

[becauseshewrote]

There's this chill in your poetry, it's like knowing something important was there but it's all blurry. It's a shame what the past has transferred to the present and what the present continues to pass onto the future.
The fact that people gladly give help to those with power and not to those who actually need it is truly devastating. Learning from what has happened is the most obvious thing yet we don't learn. Instead we are destroying it more.

I'm in awe of your writing, it really makes me think deeply on the things going on the world right now and what has happened in the past.
Thank you for sharing such a masterpiece!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for such an encouraging and generous review. It is so true, we just don't seem to learn anything. We just keep repeating past mistakes. So pleased you paid me a visit.

Chris

[becauseshewrote]

Exactly! And the pleasure's all mine. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you again :)

[Aldo kraas]

I think you did a fine job
Writing you poem
I really enjoyed reading you poem
Please write more poems

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Aldo, you are appreciated. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[adornoscousin]

As a history teacher, I promote what is known as arts-based research. I think your poem falls into that category. Very cool.

[Chris Shaw]

That pleases me. Thank you so much for the positive feed back. I like history too :)

Chris

[Seriana]

Ah, a historical piece! I love this Chris. I recently saw something on this very topic and here are your words of non-fiction, sharing a new point of view. I didn't remember much from World History in school, so this is a brief and different reminder. I especially enjoyed the last 2 stanzas. Thanks for sharing!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. Maybe we read the same newspaper item? Pleased you enjoyed the read. I share your interest in history and appreciate your review Amber. All the best.

Chris

[Vertigo Cat1111]

A very honest, strong piece. Others have said it, but it's so odd how history repeats itself throughout time. I love the attention you have on these tragedies and writing about them, putting them out in the world so maybe, someone will finally sit down and LISTEN. Someone will help, and I think we could all take a note off this, and write our own pieces to help ourselves. Of course, the plague was a long time ago, but look where we are now! As always, excellent, brilliant, and intricate writing! Thank you so much for sharing and always having an honest, open heart.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, history has a habit of repeating itself. Thank you so much for your very generous review Colacat. Always good to receive your thoughts. All the best.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

Such sad circumstances. And that fire consumed the disease.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Shelley for stopping by. Your thoughts appreciated.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

You're sure welcome.