by Mary E. Lowd
1.
As I wandered on a sunny day,
I came upon an otter along my way,
Living in a lilac bush.
“What news?” asked I,
And he did say,
“I am an otter in a lilac bush.
“For news ask badgers,
“For songs ask birds.
“I am an otter,
“And all I offer to travelers along the way is a single word.”
2.
“Hide!” he said and ran away,
I chased that otter on a sunny day,
And found him hidden behind a rose so orange.
“Why?” asked I, but away he ran,
Leaving nothing but the rose and me.
A rose is good company,
But the otter’s behavior did intrigue,
And I gave chase as best I can.
3.
Next I found the otter,
Looking for all the world,
Like a fairy with her wings unfurled.
Purple wings,
An iris sings with color not with words.
“You see me?” the otter asked,
And I answered plain and true.
Away he scurried;
It seemed our chase was not yet through.
4.
The otter scurried,
I followed faithful,
From purple iris to yellow rose.
He stuck his nose amid the petals,
I followed suit & followed him.
From rose to rose we ran.
Each rose smelled sweet,
With each sniff he smiled,
‘Twas a better way to pass a while,
Than any other I can ken.
5.
I met an otter in a lilac bush,
& spent the day chasing him,
From flower to flower,
We toured the grounds,
Running & stopping,
Chasing & hiding,
Under the summer sun.
Flowers speak in color,
Birds speak in song,
My otter spoke few words,
But made the world turn round with fun.
* * *
From the book: Some Words Burn Brightly: An Illuminated Collection of Poetry
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