All day they sleep, their eyes still open,
Pressing snouts, entwining tails.
They leap;
The ground is fain to hold them
Their lithe precision never fails.
They catch the faded beams of lamplight;
Hold them in their fiery eyes.
Beneath the fur two minds are working
Learned, maybe no, but wise.
The strongest wire cannot hold them
Heart and spirit both are free.
Captivity can never tame them,
Dim their bright vivacity.
Their species reigns despised but dauntless;
Sure of its supremacy.
No primate ever can exceed
Their sheer adaptability.
For centuries we've tried to crush them
Poisoned, trapped and even shot.
The fact that they are still alive
Has proved them a resilient lot.
And a yet a few of us have found
The necessary love and trust
Which ultimately may become
The bridge between the rats, and us.
Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.
