Cameos Parodied

It’s pyre was a funereal consequence beyond 

a mien of pomp and circumstance, the heat a 

more-evident-than-trite expression of regret & 

acceptably redressing a merely routine event; 

discovery of the rat’s corpse, & rank as it was,  

snuggled in amongst the cupboard’s ‘curtains 

and suchlike’ bottom shelf - dignified in death, 

showing no signs of suffering or stress 

All those affectations were cameos parodied - 

first, in behaviours seeking a potential source 

of its stench, unmistakably identified as rattus 

rattus, then in every action since to cleanse & 

rid and retrench tragedy by blending an all-in 

apothecary essence to bring back the peace 

© 22 January 2016, I. D. Carswell