Insects That Look Like Birds

INSECTS

that look like birds
and birds that look like
animals, and animals
resembling logs, and snakes
that lie like sticks, or curled up
like snails.
And look at the pretty flowers,
the sea anemones,
and sun and starfish on the ocean floor
at the edge of the coral forest!
"All things were made by Him". Who said
God doesn't have a sense of humour?

©Lorna Whitelaw/Anderson, 1994
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MOSQUITO

Delicate creature of gossamer wing
sashaying by: I hear you sing.
Can you not see the hovering threat
focussing palm, your life aimed to get?

Now you are daintily poised on my book.
Fairy-like sylph, you tempt me, but look--
yes, for your beauty I'd fain let you fly,
but for that bloodthirsty look in your eye--
that murderous, bloodthirsty look in your eye!

©Lorna Whitelaw/Anderson, 1974
See Biblical comment on mosquitos
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"SEE THAT YOU WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY"

The cat picks her finicky way,
one velvet paw after another,
between the spears of broken glass
along my garden wall.

The other day she crossed
a new-tarred road,
shaking each tainted foot in loathing
as she went.

The apostle Paul at his desk
looked through his bars;
and did he see on the prison wall
a cat?

©Lorna Whitelaw/Anderson, 1975
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