Even the Lizard moves, eventually,

Even the Lizard moves, eventually,

Waiting until the last moment

As my foot crunches into the dry earth

Skittering, a few feet

Keeping just out of reach

As if I would even try

To step on its toes

Why do they worry so?

A genetic inheritance

A learned response

But why would I wish them harm?

The birds are the same

Flying off all in a lather

Feathers splayed widely

As they scatter wildly,

Little Wrens try to increase

Their size by a fraction

Plovers swoop

To give satisfaction

To the belief that they are in command

Of their surroundings

The fledglings will be protected

Even though they would never be

In any danger from me.

Bold pigeons wait

Until almost underfoot

Before lifting off

Like the Wright Brothers

First winged flight

Bouncing and swaying

This way and that

Fluttering down, nose into the ground

Nuzzling the earth for a crumb

Of comfort

To ease the hunger.

The Lizard resumes its posture

Head held high

Nose pointing to the sky

Basking in the sun

Waiting until the last moment

To take off in a bow-legged

Waddling skelter

Of illusive motion.

A little awkward in progress

A mimicry of silly walks

Keeping one step ahead

Of the chasing pack

The nuzzling dog

The Carpet Python

Lying in wait

Hoping to hoover it up

In mid-flight

With one long bite

But not today,

Even he is wary of me

As I am the monster on parade.