The rats of Lambeth North

You're never more than 200 metres from a rat or whatever it is. And yet the tube is the only time I'm ever aware of them. I don't really get what they live on in the tube. There's plenty of stuff to feast on left on trains but probably not on platforms yet when they think nobody is looming they scurry up. One got very close but when it realised I'd spied him it backed off. It nestled against the blue and yellow generator at the back of the platform. And then with it's back to wall it sussed out what was going on. Eventually it realised I wasn't going anywhere so it retreated further.

I wonder how far they travel. At liverpool street when I stand at my spot by the first video projector so as to get the quick exit you need onto to the Northern line, there's always a rat on the tracks. Sometimes two.

I presume they're the same ones and that they don't stray far from where they are. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe rats travel the lines, commuting from Liverpool street to chancery lane. Or migrating all the way to Shepherd's bush over weeks. It's just there are so many and by the projector is such a good spot someone is always picking it up.

Is the rats of the underground a good kids story. I loved the rats of nimh as a kid. I think rats can be likeable. And these rats are small and likeable really. And there are plenty of perils for
Them to deal with.

So where should they be from

London Bridge
Elephant and Castle
Lambeth North
Angel
Mornington Crescent
Borough
Bethnal Green
Warren Street
Euston Square
Pimlico

About Valentine's Today

There are two girls facing opposite each other on the tube. I wasn't quite sure if they were talking to each other or not. It was like they were Locking eyes and nothing was coming out. Then one touched up her lipstick and sat back.

It must have been the angle. They're both looking down now. Alone in thoughts on Valentine's Day

As am I.

But I've got About Today by the National and it's much more beautiful than Valentine's. There are other days which will make me feel more alone. Days that deserve it