The Smell of Rat Rubs Off

Once again you’ve fallen for the lure

of his deferral, his quick eyes’ brightness

slinking from the pantry of the righteous.

Nothing half so sleek as self-licked fur.

Not that he forgot your boots, or left

A single high-aimed compliment unturned.

He’ll double back, affect to be concerned

when he’s the secret reason you’re bereft,

embracing you with his Houdini hold,

repeating chewed-off bits of what you say

so he seems loyal, you the turncoat jay.

You’d think by now you’d learn to be consoled

to know the soul he sold’s not yours but his,

though where yours was a hollow feeling is.