by Alex Steelsmith

“Two Bay Area cities had the unfortunate distinction of making the list
in a new study focused on growing rat populations… [C]rews spend a majority of
their time in Oakland, where rodents, especially rats, run rampant.”
—KRON4 News

“If you’re seeing brown rats… running around in your Oakland yard, it is probably a Norway rat
[Rattus norvegicus].”
—Smith’s Pest Management

Readily, steadily,
Rattus norvegicus,
scourge of the neighborhoods
(where are the cats?),

clearly proliferates
superabundantly,
scurrying, hurrying
everywhere. Rats!