Large grey creature
With a long and agile nose
You certainly produce a lot
Of what helps to grow a rose.

Tall and graceful, spotted
At your long neck we are gazing.
It has the same number of bones
As a mouse's - just simply amazing!

Triangular finned and sleek
Smelling blood from miles away
And if I see you nearby
I'm not going to have a nice day!

Small with heartbeat racing
From all others must I cower.
I don't live very long,
But to the full, I pack each hour.

I flit to here, I flit to there
Where there's swamps and warm rich mud
I like to jab you and inject
My children into your blood.

I pull your plough, I pull your cart
You kit me out with tack
And all I want is an apple or two
And a scratch... there... on my back.

I... wander.. very.. slowly
With.. a.. shell.. upon.. my.. back
Doing.. any.. thing.. swiftly..
Is.. an.. un..ac..customed.. knack.

I used to chase a ball of wool
Wasn't I a bundle of fun?
Now I'm content to stretch myself
And lie here in the sun.

I have a spiny back and when
A lady makes my lust to rise
I hope that making love will be
A pointless exercise.



Penned by my hand on the 23rd of Aeguary, in the year 400 AF.