by Patti Yeager

In honor of World Rat Day we thought it would be fun to publish this rat poem by Seattle writer Patti Yeager. The art work is hers as well.

There was a family of rats
How quaint their name and fitting
Mama Ratz

Rat Papa

Papa Ratz
and
the twins
Russell and Rebecca Ratz.

They lived in the small berg of Rodentville
Not huge but not so small that they felt trapped
They loved the freedom of the fields
the comfort of the barn

Rat Mama

though always careful of predators
especially the mean old Mr. Katz
His always growing family… Poor Mrs Katz
Rarely seen between litters..

Mr. Katz better known by his street name “Killer”
Always seemed to have a bone to pick…
Perhaps some inborn hatred for the genus Rattus
As definitely did not prefer “Canis lupus familiars”
Seemingly higher up on the farm’s chain of command.

Rat Baby

Personally Mr. Katz was a bit fearful of dogs
Especially large ones with sharp fangs and nasty tempers
Thinks they should be banned along with cats and mouse traps
But as wise old Mr. Katz always says.. “It is what it is.”
Which of course is answered with a swift.. “Oh for Rat’s sake!” from

Rat Sister

Mrs. Katz and echoed by the children
What is the reason or moral of this story?
How should I know!
I’m only human