Vertebrate Chauvinism

By John I. Blair

Last night, without a thought
I leapt to save a life.

Spooking around the dishwasher,
A gecko was at hazard from the cat
(Who was, as always, eager
To check out anything that moves
And is smaller than himself).
I grabbed before I really saw
Just what I had at hand.
After unsuccessful tries
To pick him up, I convinced
The gecko my soft skin
Was safer than the hard floor,
Then cupped him gently to the door,
Prized it open and dropped the beast
Outside on the porch mat,
Confused, but in one piece.

This morning, in the car
I bashed a buzzing mosquito
On the dash, and kept on driving,
Again without a thought.

©2003 John I. Blair