I put the rat on your
shoulder. He sits quietly,
eating with his dainty paws
pieces of your biscuit.
You break the
last of the biscuit
with your long slim fingers
and offer me a piece. I
refuse.
Like the rat you
relish each remaining
mouthful.
Frantic for
freedom the rat rushes
back and forth
across your shoulder.
You put the rat
back in it's cage
and smile
at me
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Poet and Writer
Colleen Z Burke
About Colleen
Colleen, poet and author, has published eleven books of poetry, her latest being Splicing air. She is also the author of Doherty's Corner, the life and work of Australian poet Marie E.J. Pitt and co-editor of The Turning Wave: Poems and Songs of Irish Australia.
The Waves Turn: a memoir was published in March 2016.
Her second memoir, The Human Heart is a Bold Traveller
was published in September 2017.
Her poetry, prose and autobiographical writing are represented in several anthologies, including Wee Girls – women writing from an Irish perspective.
Colleen facilitated creative writing
and poetry workshops in adult education
and the community and has been a Writer-in-the Community and Workplace.
All content ©2014 Colleen Z Burke
Colleen facilitated creative writing
and poetry workshops in adult education
and the community and has been a Writer-in-the Community and Workplace.
and ...
The Human Heart is a Bold Traveller: a memoir, 2017
The Waves Turn: a memoir, 2016
Splicing air - 2013
Fermenting - 2007
The odd pagan or two - 2004
Open Boat Barbed Wire Sky - 2003
Turning Wave Poems and Songs of Irish Australia - 2001
Pirouetting on a Precipice - 2000
My World Alight - 1999
Home Brewed and Lethal - 1997
Wildlife in Newtown - 1994
the edge of it - 1992
Dohertys Corner - 1985
She Moves Mountains - 1984
The Incurable Romantic - 1979
Hags Rags and Scriptures - 1976
Go Down Singing -1974