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Ratleader
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0 posted 2003-07-15 01:59 AM


The Rat’s Escape

I watched him do it and I can’t feel bad
though I’ll cuss him to the neighbors
and pretend I kept trying.

Big tan rat’s been hanging around my yard
like he owns it, and I want him,
can’t let a rodent run the place.
Never done this before, so I tell the neighbors
that I’m going on a rat hunt, and try the obvious,
get a big nasty trap, figure out how,
and give her a shakedown cruise.

She’s been out six days now, showing
everything she has, and no rat.
Oh, he sniffs around, knows I’m looking too,
and seems to like the attention.
He’ll snuffle that bait without touching it,
then he gives – I swear it’s a shrug –
wanders over to gnosh the birdseed.

But today’s different. He stands up
to his full eight inches like he wants
to be sure I’m watching, then
gets right down and pokes his nose
under that trap. When he’s got her just so,
he flips her over like a Scrabble block and
WHAM! That trap launches like a nightmare frog,
cracks down on the sidewalk twenty feet away,
while he just stands there grinning at me
with my bait at his feet.

The neighbors will want to know if I got him.
I’ll make up stories all right,
but the truth is, he got me.

[This message has been edited by Ratleader (07-15-2003 02:15 AM).]

© Copyright 2003 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
BluesSerenade
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since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
1 posted 2003-07-15 02:07 AM


Hard to go up against a real rat is it?
And all this time I thought you were the leader!!

Just keep working on your story
and show us how it's done!

So fun to read, you are!

*squeek*

vlraynes
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since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
2 posted 2003-07-15 02:09 AM



LOL...I got a kick out of this, Ed.
Thanks for sharing this little rat tale.
~Vicky

"...until you have read the verse on his heart,
you have not truly met the poet.
~vlraynes

Ratleader
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3 posted 2003-07-15 02:09 AM


I can lead 'em, but I can't entrap 'em....just not in my nature.... if all else fails, I'll get out my magic flute and dance him down to the river....

And I have to admit my heart's not in it -- he's cute....by which you can tell that I've had rats as pets before.....

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

passing shadows
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displaced
4 posted 2003-07-15 02:16 AM


hehehe...thanks for the giggle tonight Ed
Ratleader
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5 posted 2003-07-15 02:19 AM


Might not be posting for a while....may as well go out with a laugh, eh?

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

suthern
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6 posted 2003-07-15 06:43 AM


can’t let a rodent run the place.

That's right... didn't he read the manual... doesn't he know you're the RatLEADER??? LOL

He’ll snuffle that bait without touching it,
then he gives – I swear it’s a shrug –
wanders over to gnosh the birdseed.

As if to say... "Silly human... did you really think I'd fall for that trick?" LOL

while he just stands there grinning at me
with my bait at his feet.

He didn't get that big by falling for the first pretty trap put in his pathway! LOL

ROFL... I love this! *G* You just filled this rainy morning with smiles... thank you! *S*


Edder
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since 2003-04-02
Posts 671

7 posted 2003-07-15 09:06 AM


smart little devils, aren't they? have to admire them for their ingenuity. well done, Ed
Ericc
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since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178

8 posted 2003-07-15 09:21 AM


Desriptive writing and interesting story...makes a fine and wonderful poem.
Eric

garysgirl
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9 posted 2003-07-15 09:32 AM


Ed, I hate rats, but I love this poem-story, as only you can tell it. Hope that you will keep us up to date with the story. This is cute.  
Hugs to you  
Ethel
.
.
.
(Pssssstttt!!!! What does this reply mean??

Might not be posting for a while....may as well go out with a laugh, eh?
~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________
)


Martie
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California
10 posted 2003-07-23 09:05 PM


Hi Ed...I realized I hadn't replied to this...thought I had.  Verra cute, it is, you are! I miss reading you.  
garysgirl
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11 posted 2003-07-23 09:09 PM


I miss you, too, Ed. Where are you??

Ethel

Bonnie j
Senior Member
since 2003-06-27
Posts 1588
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12 posted 2003-07-23 09:51 PM


LOL- I think your RAT went to college with my Mouse The Professor.
Thanks for the chuckle.
Bon-Bon

suthern
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13 posted 2003-07-24 09:37 AM


Just where did you lead that beast?
How far away’s the river?
I wish your absence would cease
My heart misses the quiver
It feels when I see your name
Beside poetic treat…
After each read, I could proclaim
Your work just can’t be beat!
So leave that rodent free to roam
Wish him a life of bliss
It’s long past time you come back home
You are so sorely missed!

nakdthoughts
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since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
14 posted 2003-07-24 09:51 AM


not too fond of mice or rats or many non-normal household pets but once we tried to trap one and it did the same...always got the treat and the snap heard left an empty catch.

(One mouse even played dead for me until I waited for my husband to come home and get it from under the  entrance carpet...but the flat mouse I thought I had stepped on was gone...when he checked.)

*smart things, those mice and rats*

M

*s

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