) Ambiance among rafters
A ceiling is of course an ‘elevated’ subjected here to a lowly verse, as part of tearing up the ceiling in the basement to remove insulation filled with rat droppings:
Sweeping black, seed-like feces
by elusive species
those known to nibble cheeses
into crumbly pieces.
‘Seeds’ (a lot) stuck in ceiling
in spaces foul, dusty.
Hence reaching, scraping, leaning
while dodging nails rusty.
On ladder squeaky
I’m ascending
on old knees creaky
achy, bending.
Scouring hard each rafter
in vintage ceiling.
Work not much sought after
such grungy cleaning.
After task benighted
am thus elated:
Finally alighted
done, relieved, sated.
Now I hope & pray
that rats stay away.
(+)
-alight = come down from
-benight = envelop with social, intellectual or moral darkness
-elevated = raised up; exalted or noble; lofty
-rafter = any of a series of timbers for supporting the sheathing and covering of a roof or floor
-sated = been fed beyond capacity or desire
-seeds = here: what rat feces resemble
edited 05/27/17 0740