Eyes bright with fierce intelligence gleam,

Reflected in the headlight's beam,

Their owner stops dead in its tracks

Wary of the passing beast's attacks.

 

The danger past the search resumes

For food its waiting brood consumes

Seeking everywhere it can

Edible detritus left by man.

 

Pausing, perhaps it remembers still

The feel of the country breeze's chill

But time and need has seen its feet

Adapting to the city street.

 

Survival has been its ceaseless aim

Hunted, hated, the one to blame.

Does it envy the fox its street-wise grace...

This brown rat hiding from place to place?

....................................................................