The odor's beyond sweet,
but begins there, like skunk.
A dead giveaway - rat
like a pall, belly full
of yellow pellets.
We nosed it in the stove -
between the immaculate
outer wall and oven,
this harbinger of evil
and disease, opposite
of robins, decay accelerated
by a baking day.
The hands and feet
were familiar from tracks
on pans. The tail told
the species - least dragon.
Brooding over a treasure
of tinfoil bits, pieces
of potholder, one marble,
and asbestos insulation
kneaded like pillows, perfect.
Imagine: the rat wakes
to bacon and eggs, gazes
at the soft glow of flame
and speaks, as fabulous
animals can: "What a warm house I've
found for the winter, "
rubbing the cat's-eye
like an amulet.