Here’s to the rats with long hair  

That puff up when angry  

And flatten when scared  

 

Here’s to the rats scurrying nails 

Who click on the floor  

And scratch the baseboards  

 

Thanks to the rats 

Thank you, Templeton’s,  

Who entertain and and know tricks  

 

But no thanks to the fleas  

Who sit on the back of the brown rat 

Whispering winter in their ears