worms and gophers (bears too)

certain insects and small rodents,
like furry bears out of sight in their caves
don't need human indoor heaters
in the wintertime, nor rugged bonfires
lit and roaring on an open plain
imagine a worm crawling atop a hot radiator
instead of trudging around in the rain
which, may I remind you, is his favorite pastime —
before he got to the top he'd dry out in a jiffy,
much like sitting in the sun is also iffy business
so, it's easier for an earthworm to stay warm underground
where it's dark and musty , as he likes it, and
where the dampness brings him a different coziness...
now, although a gopher would certainly enjoy
the comfortable side of such an artificial pleasure
(the indoor radiators mentioned above)
without burrowing himself deeply in the ground
underneath old gnarled trees in the forest
(or under the rosebushes in our gardens)
where the temperatures are more pleasant
he'd go blind with too much winter daylight
and never be able to measure his shadow
once the first springtime rays warm the air
(and then Easter would never come!)
of course, if he befriended an inch-worm
there would be no problem...
and this whole question of keeping warm wouldn't matter
if, like the bear, they had a nice thick coat of fur...



worms and gophers (bears too)
[2007.30.9…a]
Written for the Writer’s Cramp

Honorable Mention - 30 september, 2007