Found Poem #14/The Demise of THAT Rat

Found Poem #14/The Demise of THAT Rat

Susan Riley, the deputy lord mayor
Of Melbourne, Australia
Dispatched street cleaners to Holier Lane
After residents complained
About squalid conditions in an alley —
Known for its displays
Of public art.

Among the works
Was a stencil
Of a goggle-wearing rat
Created by Banksy
During a visit to Melbourne
In 2003.

The crew — instructed to
Remove all graffiti from the area —
Removed IT.

“Unfortunately the contractors
Were not made aware by us that
THAT was an important piece,”
Said Kathy Alexander, the chief executive of the city.

“And unfortunately, that means
THAT piece is gone.”



Source: The New York Times, April 29, 2010