In preparing for Christmas this year,
We accidentally burned the Christmas pudding.
Reproachfully , the blackened bowl and pan glare up from the sink.
The dark smell lingers in the kitchen,
The remains I take outside to see if the birds will feast.
Later, watching the bird table,
I see a sleek brown rat skip nimbly across the high wire trellis
And in five visits , the table is clear.
Bon appetit!
Jo Hansen 