The Rats Keep Score

Behold the man deserving of sackcloth

Whose modesty, façade is stripped bare

Picked apart by the rats and the moth

~

He who hides in shadows from wroth

Avoiding the onlookers as they stare

Behold the man deserving of sackcloth

~

Who runs from battle in fear and loth

Falling dick first into a tempting snare

Picked apart by the rats and the moth

~

As he sits and rots against his Taharoth

Placing blame elsewhere - Life's not fair

Behold the man deserving of sackcloth

~

With skin flayed by the scythe-like swath

Is his tortured mind beyond repair

Picked apart by the rats and the moth

~

But redemption is possible through troth

As his fragility is exposed, flesh bare

Behold the man deserving of sackcloth

Picked apart by the rats and the moth

*

Thanks for reading!

Author's Notes: The only notes I am going to give is some help with understanding the meaning of words you may be less familiar with.

• wroth — anger, alternative spelling to wrath
• loth — reluctant, unwilling, alternative spelling to loathe
• taharoth — state of ritual purity
• swath — a broad strip or mown row of crops/grass, alternative spelling to swathe
• troth — a solemn vow of fidelity, in a marital context