"Roasted" and "Rat Scratch" by Phoenix

Initially they were called Ivory Towers

professors had access

and the privileged.

Later “Watch Towers”

Access expanded and restricted.

Scholars on the roof

watching books burn

People melt

the idea of education:

Roasted

Now they call them Guarded Towers

Admittance available for academics.

Who still accept and access education.

Rat Scratch

When I am alone

they slink.

Rats

start to fight

Sometimes I think.

It happens more at night.

Nothing really detectable

outside. To your sight

everything seems sweet

That is, seemingly, respectable

all outward appearances neat.

You walk past

Not even aware of

Anything

Inside.

That’s where my truth is

Or at least, it feels like the truth

In the quiet

When I am alone

I can hear

Chewing.

I hate it

Sometimes I think.

A tail,

sudden movement

in the shadows

Never in focus

Never for long

But I know

Rats

Scratching

In the walls of my mind.

Bio: Phoenix is a professional, shirt-wearing pharmacy manager every day and a tattoo-wearing, ink-stained mess at other times. His cats help him try to strike the balance with more or less success. As a new poet Phoenix has no official publications, so he’s free to tell you he likes hiking (and cats). He is always surprised when in nature at the overwhelming number of poems begging to be written. Which work is both humbling and exhilarating.