Thursday, March 20, 2008

Why Nobody Pets the Lion at the Zoo

The morning that the world began
The Lion growled a growl at Man.

And I suspect the Lion might
(If he'd been closer) have tried a bite.

I think that's as it ought to be
And not as it was taught to me.

I think the Lion has a right
To growl a growl and bite a bite.

And if the Lion bothered Adam,
He should have growled right back at 'im.

The way to treat a lion right
Is growl for growl and bite for bite.

True, the Lion is better fit
For biting than for being bit.

But if you look him in the eye
You'll find the Lion's rather shy.

He really wants someone to pet him.
The trouble is: his teeth won't let him.

He has a heart of gold beneath
But the Lion just can't trust his teeth.

by John Ciardi

2 comments:

Laura said...

I like it. And perhaps we can have an artichoke tutorial at some point while we're up in AK for Rachel's wedding?!

Meggan said...

ooh. i like it. my teeth won't let me leave the cinnamon rolls alone either.
and yes about the artichokes. Noah would love to host an artichoke party.