GODRINK SMELT A RAT.

[dadio]

Godrink smelt a rat. He understood
The politics of the game, knew people
Disappeared or were locked away,
Certified insane and never seen again.
Keep your nose clean, Melton said,
Keep your mouth shut, avert your eyes,
Say nothing of what goes on. Godrink
Nodded, played the game, kept silent,
Averted his eyes, kept his nose clean,
His ears open, listened for the knock
Of knuckles on the midnight door.
He heard the sound of many feet on
The stairs, along the passage floor.
But no one knocked for him, none
Took him away, or arrested him
Or beat him up or gave him a good
Kicking as they say. He would wait
Like others, ears to the door, eyes
On the door handle, hearing winds
Outside, the fluttering candle, with
Nowhere to escape, no place to hide,
Just another day to get through, to
Sleep, eat, drink, shit and have sex,
As people waiting for death often do.