Rat Lady Poem by M.J. Lemon
Rat Lady
The woman with
the tattoos on her back
and the rat on her head
walked past
the department store
and the man
asleep on the pavement
and said
That animal!
Most people
like a wind shear
turned around
went the other way
when they saw her coming
Hard to say that
anyone noticed the rat
because you could think
she was talking to herself
How and when did she
find time to outfit
Myron who lived on her head
with the bright red sombrero?
One day she'll be gone.
Perhaps someone will
notice, but by then
it won't do anyone
any good.
But one day is
not today.
Saturday
The woman with
the tattoos on her back
and the rat on her head
walks past
the department store
and another man
asleep on the pavement
and says,
'That animal! '
Usual lives, unusual circumstances, extraordinary persons… I would take the "rat" as a metaphor for a paradox, a parasite that gnaws at the heart of the man on the pavement …
A wonderful poem.............appreciated. Top score and to my favourite.
Some, like the lady who has an outlandish appearance is either unusually arrogant or unfeeling to human deprivation that she calls a homeless man an animal or she must be off her head, unable to appear or act rational! The crowd turns their faces from her, may be because of her haughtiness! Then again the homeless man reduced to the level of a stray dog who has no roof to rest under! Two stark faces of a mechanised world! Great poem!
So well said, Valsa. I remember the day when I saw all this unfolding. I was wondering about the condition of the 'rat lady.' Was she herself homeless? And so, in a sense, did she see herself through someone seemingly less fortunate?
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/29/2024 4:05:46 PM # 1.0.0.1119
I am caught up with the woman with a rat on her head saying That animal to the homeless man sleeping on the pavement. I can read how foolish judgmental people can be and how open they really are to being judged themselves. Was she so blind to who she was? How could she be so blind? How often do I do that? Then there are other questions? Was she even aware of the rat on her head? Was the bright red sombrero on her head or on the rat's? Did she make it for the rat or to share with the rat? Was she proud of that rat, that imperfection in her appearance to others? But then I look at the passage and think if she is aware of the rat on her head that probably means she is fond of the rat and calling a man sleeping on the pavement an animal may be her version of a compliment. She accepts that we are all animals and we share the earth and its creature comforts together... a place of rest is a place of rest is a place of rest. See what you do to me, my friend? ? ? ? ? ? I wander through all the possibilities for human conduct and end up... wondering at the complexity of the human race and enjoying it as well.. Then there is the awesome display of word choice and image: Most people like a wind shear turned around went the other way when they saw her coming- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Word-Magic! ! ! ! ! That's what it is! ! ! You have made me see that moment in time exactly as if I were there. Word-Weaver! ! ! More could be said but I shall shut up now ;) 10+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Susan, thank you so very much. You raise some really profound issue. I used that brief experience ith the person I call Rat Lady to actually begin questioning some of teh assumptions I make about poeple when I see or meet them. The very first second I noticed teh rat, I thought she was homeless. Then I noticed how well dressed she actually was, and began to question my own assumption. You are right, I simply assumed she knew about the rat on her head. And then I began to wonder if she even identified it as an animal. It is necessary to remind ourselves about how prepared we are to jump to conclusions or to make judgments....Thank you so very much, Susan.