After The War ^©Elizabeth Mills – September 2010

They sat together on a hill,

And gazed upon the awesome sight

Of the ruined city, smoking still,

And glowing in the fading light.

"Father, what was it like before?"

The young one asked. His father sighed,

"Oh son, before that dreadful war,”

"This city spread out ten miles wide.”

"Great buildings reached up tall and proud.”

"Ten million people lived, and died,”

"When lightening flash and mushroom cloud”

"Destroyed it, and everyone inside.”

"We hid in tunnels underground,”

"Safe from the heat as the city burned,”

"Quaking at that dreadful sound.”

"And five years passed ere we returned.”

And so they left that mournful place,

With tails erect and bellies fat.

The heirs of all the human race.

The resilient, resourceful, courageous rat.