Alexandra Corrin-Tachibana
after Kimiko Hahn
Unlike rats, Alex does not establish well-worn paths through people’s gardens, although she knows full well that some choose to do so.
Unlike rats, Alex does not chase her mate in circles around the lawn, although sometimes she does go round in circles on the telephone with ‘you know who’.
Unlike rats, Alex does not usually steal people’s food, although she enjoys ‘chef’s spoils’ and does not like to share the food on her plate.
Unlike rats, Alex does not reproduce rapidly, although she has been told she has ‘child-bearing hips’. These days, she is also unable to squeeze through small openings.
Unlike these intelligent rodents, Alex does not often thrive in groups or enjoy teamwork.
Unlike rats, Alex is not an excellent climber and struggles on uphill rambles with athletic friends.
Unlike rats, Alex is a ‘people-pleaser’ and will tend not to ambush you from rotting decking. Moreover, Alex is unlikely to make a person scream.
Unlike rats, it is unlikely that there are more [Alexes] present and seeing one Alex should not indicate a larger infestation.
Like rats, Alex sometimes experiences neophobia — a fear or avoidance of new stimuli,
nevertheless, she is inquisitive and enjoys burrowing into things. Further,
an oily peanut bait will sometimes lure Alex. And from time to time, she will fall for people’s traps.
Alexandra Corrin-Tachibana’s first collection, Sing Me Down from the Dark was published by SALT in 2022. Her second collection, Skinship, is forthcoming in 2026. She was shortlisted for the 2025 Artemesia Prize and for Verve’s July Poem of The Month. She teaches for The Poetry School and The Poetry Business.
andotherpoems.com 