We set the trap last night,
nearly crushed my fingers, or felt
like I would. Went to bed thinking,
the snap will wake me, or if not me,
the dog — but the night passed quietly,
without incident — except the rat died,
of course.
In the morning, I saw it
curled around the trap, its head smaller
than I thought it’d be. I wasn’t wearing
my glasses. I put on gloves
and picked it up, trap and all: laughed
almost how he hung off it stiff, like boot
leather. Threw it in the trash, took it
out to the curb. I don’t know what to say.
I hope not to hear any mewling of someone
depending on it, but I don’t know. I wasn’t
really paying attention, if you’re asking.
nearly crushed my fingers, or felt
like I would. Went to bed thinking,
the snap will wake me, or if not me,
the dog — but the night passed quietly,
without incident — except the rat died,
of course.
In the morning, I saw it
curled around the trap, its head smaller
than I thought it’d be. I wasn’t wearing
my glasses. I put on gloves
and picked it up, trap and all: laughed
almost how he hung off it stiff, like boot
leather. Threw it in the trash, took it
out to the curb. I don’t know what to say.
I hope not to hear any mewling of someone
depending on it, but I don’t know. I wasn’t
really paying attention, if you’re asking.